EU's harsh new migration rules spark fears of racial profiling and mass deportations
The European Union has introduced stricter migration controls under a new set of rules coming into force on 12 June. These measures follow a shift in power across several member states, where right-wing parties gained influence in 2024. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated the changes aim to prevent another crisis like the one seen in 2015. The updated policies, called the Pact on Migration and Asylum, expand authorities' abilities to monitor, detain, and deport migrants. Police raids and surveillance operations will increase, with racial profiling becoming more common. Frontex, the EU's border agency, has already begun supporting Belgian police in detention and deportation raids since 2024.
Pushbacks have surged under the new approach. Official figures show an average of 221 daily incidents, totalling over 80,000 in 2025 alone. Italy, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, has pushed through its own anti-immigration laws. These include blocking rescue ships in international waters and accelerating deportations. The country also operates two migrant detention centres in Albania, though these are not yet part of formal EU cooperation.
While no EU member has officially launched deportation centres in third countries, an informal group of nations is negotiating such deals. The relevant EU regulation allowing these centres only takes effect in June 2026. Italy's existing camp in Gjader, near Shengjin, remains separate from any confirmed EU-wide scheme. The new rules mark a significant tightening of Europe's migration policies. Authorities will have broader powers to track, detain, and remove people, with pushbacks and deportations expected to rise. The measures reflect a broader political shift as governments prioritise stricter border controls.
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