The European Parliament approved an overhaul of the European Union's migration policy on Wednesday, paving the way for faster deportations and allowing member states to establish detention centres outside the bloc.
The legislation, which still requires formal approval from the EU's 27 member states, marks one of the most significant tightenings of European migration policy since the refugee and migrant influx of 2015 and 2016.
Supporters say the new rules will make it easier to return rejected asylum seekers and migrants who have no legal right to remain in the EU. Critics, however, argue the measures weaken protections for asylum seekers and place excessive emphasis on deterrence and deportation.
The move reflects a broader political shift across Europe, where anti-immigration sentiment has grown steadily over the past decade and fuelled support for far-right political parties.
In a letter to EU leaders ahead of their summit in Brussels, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the new regulation would provide "the necessary tools to make returns more efficient, with faster and more effective procedures".
Many EU governments have long argued that the bloc struggles to enforce deportation orders and return individuals whose asylum claims have been rejected or who have overstayed their visas.
Human rights organisations and migration advocates have sharply criticised the new rules.
They argue that European migration policy has become increasingly focused on preventing arrivals and deporting migrants while paying insufficient attention to the root causes of migration, including conflict, poverty and political persecution.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, warned this week that the treatment of migrants and refugees in several Western countries was becoming increasingly concerning.
He said the EU's new return rules risk expanding the use of detention, creating offshore return hubs and weakening safeguards against refoulement, the principle that prohibits sending people back to countries where they could face persecution or serious harm.
The tougher migration approach comes as the European Commission prepares to hold talks with Taliban officials on the deportation of Afghan migrants.
According to a letter seen by Reuters, Taliban representatives have been invited to Brussels on June 22 and 23 for discussions focused on "the return and readmission of Afghan nationals without a right to stay in the European Union".
The Commission and the Swedish government, which is co-hosting the meeting, insist the talks are purely technical and do not constitute diplomatic recognition of the Taliban administration.
The Commission has said deportations would be limited to individuals who pose a security risk.
The planned discussions with Taliban officials have sparked concern among human rights groups, which warn that engagement with Afghanistan's rulers could endanger deported Afghans and undermine the EU's commitment to human rights.
Western governments have refused to formally recognise the Taliban since the group returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021 after overthrowing the U.S.- and NATO-backed government.
The new migration legislation and the planned talks with Taliban officials underscore the increasingly hardline approach the European Union is taking on migration as governments across the bloc face growing political pressure to curb irregular arrivals and increase deportations.
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