Migrants: EU Parliament approves rules on returns: green light for ‘return hubs’

Milan, 26 March (LaPresse) – The European Parliament has approved, in a plenary session with 389 votes in favour, 206 against and 32 abstentions, the move to the next stage of the legislative process to adopt an update to EU policy on the return of third-country nationals staying illegally in the Union. The vote took place following three separate motions tabled by the S&D, Greens/EFA and The Left political groups. Rapporteur Malik Azmani (Renew, Netherlands) will lead the Parliament’s negotiating team. The main points of Parliament’s position are: third-country nationals subject to a return decision are required to cooperate with the competent authorities to leave EU territory; in the event of non-cooperation, returnees may be detained for up to 24 months; returns may be carried out to a third country on the basis of an agreement with Member States and/or the EU (including so-called return hubs); stricter rules for persons posing a security risk; and financial and operational support from the EU and its agencies to Member States.