EU interior ministers meeting in Brussels are expected to approve a package of stricter migration measures that would allow the creation of so-called "return hubs" outside the 27-member bloc, extend detention for migrants who refuse to leave, and permit returns to third countries assessed as "safe." The proposals follow sustained political pressure across Europe, driven in part by concerns about gains by far-right parties.
What the Measures Would Do
The package, put forward this year by the European Commission, would introduce several significant changes if adopted:
- Establish centres outside the EU where migrants whose asylum claims are rejected could be sent — the proposed "return hubs."
- Impose tougher sanctions for migrants who refuse to leave EU territory, including longer detention periods.
- Allow returns to third countries that are not the migrants' countries of origin but are assessed by the EU as "safe."
Political Context and Timing
The proposals come months after the EU adopted a sweeping migration law due to take effect in June, and amid a roughly 20% decline in irregular arrivals so far in 2025 compared with last year. Denmark, which holds the EU presidency, has pressed for rapid progress and helped push the measures onto ministers' agendas.
"We have to speed up," said EU Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner, arguing that faster action is needed to reassure citizens that authorities have control of the situation.
Support, Concerns and Next Steps
Centre-right and far-right lawmakers in the European Parliament have already given initial backing to parts of the package, and diplomats say many leaders share a wish to press ahead. If member states approve the three key proposals at the ministers' meeting, officials plan to open negotiations with the European Parliament immediately as the next step toward final adoption.
However, the measures have prompted criticism from NGOs and some member states. Silvia Carta of PICUM warned the plans could "push more people into danger and legal limbo," while France has questioned the legality and effectiveness of parts of the plan, and Spain says prior trials of return hubs elsewhere produced disappointing results.
Redistribution And Solidarity
Ministers will also debate redistributing at least 30,000 asylum seekers under the new solidarity mechanism intended to relieve frontline states such as Greece and Italy. Under the rules, other EU countries would either accept relocated asylum seekers or pay €20,000 (about $23,000) per person to the countries under pressure — a politically sensitive choice given domestic pressures to appear tougher on migration.
The EU aims to reach a compromise on resettlement before the end of the year, but officials acknowledge the political risks for governments asked to take in additional asylum seekers.
