The European Commission is reportedly preparing new rules for deporting migrants who have entered the European Union illegally.
According to Politico, citing three anonymous European diplomats, a draft directive on returns could be presented to EU ambassadors as early as February 2025. The sources indicated that this proposal is expected to be a priority for the European Commission due to increasing pressure from member states most affected by the issue, particularly Italy and Poland.
Currently, the European Commission is consulting with member states on the specifics of the changes. The proposed legislation is complex and multifaceted, requiring consideration of national, EU-wide, and international legal nuances.
The new directive is expected to outline procedures for dealing with migrants who have exhausted their legal options for staying in the EU and to provide detailed rules for their deportation—either back to their home country or to the country where they resided for an extended period.
There are discussions about restricting the freedom of movement for migrants subject to deportation orders to prevent instances where they “disappear” before being deported.
