EU Proposes "Return Hubs" in Non-EU Countries for Rejected Asylum Seekers

The European Commission proposed on Tuesday, March 11, that EU member states establish "return hubs" in non-EU countries for migrants awaiting deportation after their asylum claims are rejected. This initiative aims to address the low rate of rejected asylum seekers leaving the EU, with only one in five complying with deportation orders. The proposal seeks to create uniform regulations across the EU, ensuring that a deportation order from one member state is recognized bloc-wide. It is part of the migration and asylum pact agreed upon in late 2023 and requires approval from the European Parliament and EU member states. The plan has drawn criticism from rights groups, who express concerns about potential human rights violations and prolonged detention of migrants. The proposal also includes a provision allowing member states to detain individuals deemed a security risk for up to two years.