EU moves closer to creating offshore centres for migrants and asylum seekers

The EU moved closer to creating offshore centres for migrants and asylum seekers after centre-right and far-right MEPs united to back tougher migration measures. MEPs voted for legal changes that give authorities more options to deport asylum seekers, including sending people to countries they have never been to.

Under rules expected to apply from June, a person seeking asylum can be deported to a country outside the EU, even if they have only passed through it, or to a place to which they have no link, provided a European government has signed an agreement with the receiving state.

The vote effectively underwrites Italy’s deal with Albania and the Dutch government’s agreement with Uganda on deportations. MEPs also approved creating an EU list of “safe third countries”, which will fast-track procedures and make claims harder.

European Union

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