The European Parliament took a decisive step in migratory matters by approving the new return regulation, which includes the possibility of creating deportation centers in third countries. The measure was backed by a large majority, 389 votes in favor to206 against, with the impetus of sectors of the European right, in a context where migratory pressure is once again at the center of the European political debate
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The initiative is part of the new European Pact on Migration and Asylum, which is due to enter into force in the middle of this year, and seeks to provide member states with more effective tools to manage illegal immigration. Among its most important points, it enables the transfer of migrants to centers located outside the European Union, even in countries with which they have no direct link, provided that there are previous agreements
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The objective stated by its promoters is clear: to move towards a more orderly, predictable migratory system aligned with the real capacities of European countries. In this regard, the regulations also tighten the conditions of expulsion, limits the possibilities of postponement and contemplates sanctions for those who do not cooperate with their return, including prohibitions on re-entry
. Illegal immigrants arriving on the European continent by boat
Far from being an isolated measure, the decision reflects a wider change in the European political climate. In recent years, different governments have called for stronger policies against illegal immigration, in response to a citizenship that demands greater border control and concrete solutions to a phenomenon that has put several national systems in tension
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Predictably, the initiative met with resistance from left-wing sectors and non-governmental organizations, which warn of potential human rights risks. However, from more pragmatic positions, it is argued that the lack of effective return mechanisms has been one of the main deficits of European migration policy, favoring mass illegal immigration and weakening
institutional credibility. Protest against illegal immigration in Poland
In this context, the creation of deportation centers in third countries appears as a tool aimed at strengthening the capacity of States to enforce their own decisions. Beyond criticism, the support obtained in Parliament suggests that Europe is beginning to go through a phase in which migration management is approached with more realistic criteria, prioritizing order, security and long-term sustainability of the system
