EU proposes tougher methods to combat illegal migrants
The European Commission (EC) has proposed tougher methods of dealing with illegal migrants, including the creation of detention centres for illegal migrants outside the EU, RIA Novosti reports
As noted, the proposal introduces a legal possibility for the return of persons unlawfully present in the EU who have received a final expulsion decision to a third country on the basis of an agreement or arrangement concluded at bilateral or EU level.
It is specified that this means the creation of so-called hubs for the expulsion of migrants, which are criticised by human rights organisations. Thus, EU countries will be able to send foreigners who have been refused asylum on EU territory to these centres for further expulsion to the countries of which they are citizens. The European Commission itself will not be involved in this, leaving the process of creating the hubs to the member states.
It is also reported that the European Commission is proposing tougher penalties for foreigners who refuse to leave the EU after the relevant decisions. These include longer prison sentences: up to 24 months, confiscation of documents and a ban on entering EU territory.
