A major achievement for the European Parliament has finally been attained after years of political impasse: member states of the EU have agreed to restructure the bloc's immigration policy. The updated rules are intended to promote stronger unity among member states and improve the effectiveness of the European asylum system.
A significant change in EU migration policy is seen in 2023, when border detention facilities are established, the deportation procedure for those denied asylum is streamlined, and a solidarity mechanism is put in place to lessen the burden on southern countries that are experiencing large influxes of migrants.
In essence, it is expected that the revised EU laws pertaining to migrants and asylum seekers will reduce irregular migration to the area. The enhanced legislative framework aims to achieve a balance between interior nations fearful of an overabundance of migrants entering a single member state and border countries looking for help in handling asylum seekers.
The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, commended the agreement and noted that it was the result of years of fruitless efforts. Metsola acknowledged that the agreement, in spite of its flaws, is a political middle ground, not a clone of right-wing ideology.
The interior minister of Spain, Fernando Grande-Marlaska Gomez, declared that the EU migration agreement satisfies its obligation to enhance the asylum and migration framework. He reiterated the EU's commitment to tackling the underlying causes of migration and working with origin and transit nations to prevent migrant smuggling, while underscoring the importance of this reform as a critical element in tackling the larger migration crisis.
Italy expressed relief at the agreement, with Matteo Piantedosi emphasizing that it is a major triumph for Europe and Italy, highlighting Italy's historical role in pushing for a fair solution to guarantee that bordering EU countries—which are especially susceptible to pressure from migrants—do not feel alone.
Stephanie Pope, an EU migration expert at Oxfam, expressed doubts about the agreement, arguing that it would result in more incarceration and expose families and children to conditions akin to prisons. Pope described the deal as a dangerous divergence from fundamental principles of human rights and refugee law, criticizing the lost chance to create better regulations for responsibility-sharing and solidarity.
Concerns were also expressed by Amnesty International, which warned that the political deal might make life more difficult for migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers at every turn. The group contended that the revision might aggravate current laws, erode these people's rights, and ignore urgent problems with the asylum and reception systems in Europe.