đ¨ EU Deportation Regulation Giving Immigration Police ICE-like Powers, Threatening Civil Rights for ALL EU residents, Set to Pass TOMORROW đ¨
The EU Parliament and the Council of Europe have agreed on the EU Return Regulation. The rule would manage the expulsion of people who have been denied legal status in the EU by giving immigration police broad powers over these people, and by extension, over EU citizens. Over 200 organizations have condemned the regulation, which is set to pass TOMORROW, 17 June, 2026.
What it would mandate:
Invasion of private homes and workplaces without a warrant. Police would have the right to raid peopleâs homes to enforce deportation orders. This is NOT LIMITED to dwellings belonging to the immigrants in question, but ANY private dwelling. This is a HUGE and dangerous change to existing laws.
2. Vastly increased surveillance and detection across the EU, to "detect" migrants without legal status. This would include:
Bulk data collection and unlawful sharing
Unlawful data transfers to third countries that lack an adequate data protection framework
Arbitrary, opaque and inaccurate âsecurity riskâ assessment used to enforce deportations, potentially performed automatically by AI. (Details)
This would affect the privacy and rights of migrants AND EU citizens and residents. State surveillance without due process is a slippery slope and does not belong in a democracy.
3. The creation of âthird country hubsâ for people who cannot return to their own country for humanitarian reasons. This means depositing people in countries they have no connection to, and which may not be safe, as no safeguards have been required by the law. The EU intends to leave their treatment entirely up to the third countries. We do not yet know which countries would be selected, what the conditions are or how the asylum or other migration petition will be resolved.
Note: the EU has recently invited the Taliban for "talks on migration," which should concern everyone.
4. Deportation of unaccompanied minors to third country hubs
"The EUâs inability to effectively monitor and enforce human rights in partnerships with third countries has become increasingly evident, as reports of violations continue to mount. Shirking responsibility in this way has resulted in many thousands of people being exposed to violence, abuse, exploitation, and death." (Joint Statement)
5. Prolonged detention with expanded grounds for inclusion. Detention for up to 30 months, and reduced avenues for appeal or legal counsel. Potentially indefinite detention for migrants deemed a "security risk."
This concerning and dangerous law is largely backed by a number of far-right parties. It is the first major assault against the European institutions that exist to protect human rights, for migrants and citizens alike. It will not be the last. We're all watching the situation in the US unfold as a warning of where this kind of legislation leads.
What to do:
Contact your MEPs and YELL about this! Tell them why it's unacceptable, and that you will be watching to see what happens.
Find your MEP here!
It's unlikely we can stop this from being passed at this point, but letâs do our best! Letâs speak out so more groups and countries support a challenge at the European Court of Human Rights, as where it will hopefully get it overturned!!
More info:
Amnesty International has a good, more detailed overview with links to relevant information.
Return Regulation draft text, 10 June.
