The European Parliament on Tuesday (February 10) voted in favor of a new immigration regulation in Strasbourg, France, allowing member states to deport illegal immigrants back to countries determined as “safe countries of origin” or “safe third countries.”
According to the new regulation, applicants who do not qualify for asylum and have passed through countries deemed as safe, where theoretically they could have applied for asylum locally, can now be directly deported to the relevant countries. The policy is expected to officially take effect in June this year.
This vote essentially confirms the consensus reached by EU ministers in Brussels last December on the “safe country list.” Two related proposals in the European Parliament were passed with 408 votes to 184 and 396 votes to 226 respectively. The center-right and far-right party groups in the parliament rarely unite but provided crucial support for the passage of the bills.
German MEP and member of the European People’s Party group Lena Düpont pointed out that establishing a clear mechanism for safe third countries would help expedite the rejection of asylum applications lacking a solid basis, reduce pressure on member states, and prevent applicants from being in a state of legal uncertainty for a long time.
According to the new regulation, countries listed as safe countries of origin include Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, Kosovo, India, Morocco, Tunisia, and some EU candidate countries. These countries are currently not in a state of conflict, allowing EU countries to deport individuals to these countries.
Furthermore, the European Parliament is still discussing specific implementation details for deportations, including whether to establish “return hubs” outside the EU. Previously, Italy reached an agreement with Albania to set up immigrant detention facilities managed by Italian authorities within Albanian territories, providing a model for EU-level institutional design.
Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi stated that the new regulation would help speed up the deportation of those who do not meet protection criteria and enhance countries’ evaluation capabilities of migration transit routes. Greek Minister of Migration and Asylum Thanos Plevris stated that the decision reflects the EU’s mainstream position on “strict immigration policies and emphasis on deportation.”
However, the leftist party groups and human rights organizations strongly oppose the law. Member of the Socialists and Democrats (S&D) group in the European Parliament Cecilia Strada pointed out that some countries listed have issues in human rights, rule of law, and democracy, questioning the standards for designating so-called “safe countries of origin.”
Meron Ameha Knikman, a senior advisor at the International Rescue Committee, warned that the new regulation could lead to some applicants being sent to countries with which they have no substantial connection, posing risks in terms of language, social support, and legal protection.
Olivia Sundberg Diez, European representative of Amnesty International, described the vote as a “very dark day in the EU’s human rights field.”
In contrast to the overall tightening trend in the EU, the Spanish government announced at the end of January that it would provide one-year residence and work permits for approximately 500,000 illegal immigrants. The government stated that this policy would contribute to economic development and regulate the labor market.
Euronews quoted multiple EU officials revealing that the European Commission holds strong reservations about the move, fearing conflict with current EU policies. EU Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner stated that the issue would be discussed in the European Parliament but emphasized that legalization of migration falls within the member states’ competence.
Brussels is particularly concerned that individuals granted legal status can stay in other member states for a maximum of 90 days every 180 days under the Schengen rules, potentially increasing cross-border mobility pressure.
Since the refugee crisis of 2015, the EU has consistently tightened asylum rules. In May 2024, the European Commission proposed a comprehensive “Migration and Asylum New Pact,” advocating for improved deportation efficiency and exploring the establishment of deportation centers outside the EU. This legislation is seen as a critical component of that pact.
In recent years, several European countries have faced financial pressure and social tensions due to the high number of illegal immigrants. The issue of illegal immigration has become a key topic in elections in countries like Sweden, Italy, and Germany, prompting governments to gradually shift their policy focus from acceptance to strengthening deportations and border control.
Official data shows that in 2024, approximately 123,000 non-EU citizens were refused entry at external EU borders, a slight increase of 0.3% from 2023. In the same year, 919,000 individuals were found to be residing illegally within the EU, lower than the 1.27 million in the previous year.