EU Intensifies Migrant Control Measures
BRUSSELS — The European Union is expanding its capabilities to monitor, detain, and deport migrants as part of a broader strategy to address immigration. Countries in Africa and beyond are quietly adopting tactics reminiscent of those pursued by the Trump administration, prompting significant public backlash across the 27-nation bloc.
Following the rise to power of right-wing parties in several EU member states in 2024, immigration policies have continued to become more restrictive. European Commissioner Ursula von der Leyen, representing the center-right European People’s Party, emphasized that these new measures aim to prevent a recurrence of the 2015 migrant crisis that saw approximately one million individuals arrive in Europe seeking asylum due to the Syrian civil war.
Von der Leyen remarked that the EU has learned valuable lessons from past experiences, asserting that the bloc is now better equipped to handle immigration challenges. The new policy framework, known as the Agreement on Migration and Asylum, is set to take effect on June 12.
Italy as a Blueprint for Deportation Strategies
The EU has already invested millions in efforts to deter and assist migrants before they reach European shores. Currently, tens of thousands of individuals are returning to African nations, either voluntarily or through coercion.
Italy’s approach, under Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, exemplifies these efforts. The country has established two migrant detention centers in Albania for individuals whose asylum applications have been rejected. During a visit, Councilwoman Rachelle Scarpa noted that approximately 90 migrants were housed at the facility, with many expressing confusion and fear.
Furthermore, Meloni’s administration has approved an anti-immigration package that allows the navy to dock ships in international waters for up to six months if they are perceived as threats to public order. This legislation accelerates the deportation of accepted immigrants back to their home countries or to third countries.
Bernd Parcel, a researcher at the Swedish European Policy Institute, revealed that an informal coalition of EU countries—including Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Greece—is actively negotiating the establishment of deportation centers. Dutch MEP Tineke Strick highlighted Kenya as one potential partner in this initiative, drawing comparisons to Trump-era agreements with countries such as El Salvador regarding the accommodation of deported immigrants.
Mixed Reactions to U.S. Immigration Strategies in Europe
Notably, during the Winter Olympics in Italy, protests erupted over the deployment of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents tasked with ensuring security for the U.S. delegation. However, some European nations have commended ICE’s actions and have called for the creation of similar police forces focused on deportation.
In 2024, the EU border agency Frontex began collaborating with Belgian police on raids aimed at detaining and deporting migrants. While the specifics of these operations in other countries remain unclear, the enforcement of immigration policies seems to be tightening across the board.
The European Commission has refrained from commenting on U.S. federal immigration policy. Meanwhile, in Britain, which has distanced itself from the EU, the centre-left Labor government has prioritized the reduction of illegal immigration and reported the deportation of around 60,000 individuals since taking office in July 2024.
Increasing Pushbacks and Controversial Enforcement Tactics
Under the principle of non-refoulement in EU and international law, individuals cannot be returned to countries where they face persecution. Yet, European authorities have employed pushbacks, forcibly turning away migrants attempting to enter the EU without allowing them to seek asylum.
A humanitarian report highlighted that European authorities conduct an average of 221 pushbacks daily, with more than 80,000 instances documented in 2025, primarily in Italy, Poland, Bulgaria, and Latvia. The report detailed alarming abuses, including violence against migrants and the theft of their belongings.
Flor Diden, a migration policy expert with the Belgian human rights group 11.11.11, expressed concern that EU border agents are employing tactics that mirror those in the United States, calling for greater accountability and scrutiny.
Complex Dynamics of Migrant Protections in Europe
Despite the concerning trends in enforcement, some human rights organizations have noted that legal protections for migrants still exist in Europe. However, the EU’s evolving immigration regulations have raised alarms regarding increased police raids in private and public spaces, as well as enhanced surveillance and racial profiling mechanisms.
In a letter to EU institutions, 88 non-profit organizations—including the International Cooperation Platform on Irregular Migration—criticized the current trajectory. Michel Levoy, the platform’s director, emphasized the inconsistency of condemning U.S. practices while potentially adopting similar measures in Europe.
Olivia Sandberg-Dees, an EU migration advocate for Amnesty International, remarked that while Europe maintains some protections for vulnerable migrants, the political climate is shifting towards more stringent policies. She highlighted that the fundamental political motivations align with those seen in U.S. immigration strategies, expressing concern over the potential human impact of these developments.
Zampano reported from Rome. Associated Press writers contributed to this report from various locations including Athens, London, Rome, Warsaw, and Berlin.
