Brussels, Belgium, 1 June 2026 — As EU institutions seek to conclude negotiations on the Return Regulation today, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) warns that the final text is set to significantly ramp up the EU’s deportation powers - without putting in place the safeguards needed to protect people and prevent human rights violations.
The new regulation paves the way for more criminalisation, raids on communities, and the establishment of detention and deportation centres outside of EU territory.
The final trilogue meeting is expected to begin at 18h today, with the agreed text being voted on in due course by the European Parliament and formally approved by the Council.
Marta Welander, IRC’s EU Advocacy Director, said:
“The agreement expected to be reached today marks an alarming new chapter in the EU’s approach to asylum and migration.
“This deal will give governments much broader powers to detain and deport people. It looks set to normalise immigration raids, expand the use of detention in prison-like facilities outside EU territory that are essentially legal black holes, and increase the risk of people being deported to countries where they could face persecution, torture or worse.
“Most concerning is that governments have rushed to strengthen deportation powers without putting in place adequate safeguards to prevent wrongful detention, abuses of power, and human rights violations. The result is legislation riddled with dangerous gaps that will leave people exposed to harm.
“Europe needs a migration system that is humane, orderly and grounded in international law. That means assessing every asylum claim individually and ensuring nobody is deported to danger.”
Learn more about the EU's new deportation plans, and what the IRC is calling for policymakers to do instead here.