\n The European Union on Thursday laid out plans to overhaul its visa system and step up deportations as part of a five-year migration strategy that cements a hardening line on the hot-button issue.\n <\/p>\n
Brussels has put forward a brand-new visa strategy, with the stated objective of using the granting of access to EU territory to certain nationals as a diplomatic means to foster its policy goals.<\/p>\n
It’s “one of the strongest tools in our hands”, said a commission source.<\/p>\n
In particular, the EU wants to sanction countries that refuse to take back their nationals by restricting the issuance of visas, while easing procedures to attract certain skilled workers.<\/p>\n
Clampdown on irregular arrivals<\/strong><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n Irregular arrivals in the 27-nation bloc were down by more than a quarter in 2025, according to the EU’s border agency — but political pressure to act remains high.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n “The priority is clear: bringing illegal arrival numbers down and keeping them down,” Magnus Brunner, the EU’s commissioner for migration, said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n The strategy unveiled Thursday stressed the need to boost deportations of failed asylum-seekers among the bloc’s priorities.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n “Abuse gives migration a bad name — it undermines public trust and ultimately takes away from our ability to provide protection and undercuts our drive to attract talent,” said Brunner.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n The European Parliament is currently examining a legal text put forward by the European Commission allowing for so-called “return hubs”\u00a0to be set up outside the EU’s borders.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n Criticised by rights groups, the proposal also envisages harsher penalties for migrants who refuse to leave European territory, including longer periods of detention.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n European governments are under pressure to take a tougher stance amid a souring of public opinion on migration that has fuelled a rightward shift across the bloc.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n Flawed approach<\/strong><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n The strategy also mentioned reinforcing an “assertive migration diplomacy” to persuade third countries to help stop migrants from reaching Europe and take back their nationals with no right to stay.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n Brussels recently struck or is negotiating deals with Northern African countries including Tunisia, Mauritania, Egypt and Morocco, whereby it gets help controlling migration flows in return for aid and investments.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n Amnesty International criticised the EU’s approach as “flawed”.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n It “only heightens its dependence on third countries to manage migration, while making it complicit in any rights violations that may result”, said Olivia Sundberg Diez, a policy analyst with the human rights group.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n The commission is expected to present a plan for reform by the end of the year.<\/p>\n
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