Brussels: "Send them back! Send them back!" The chants echoed through the European Parliament chamber on Wednesday as lawmakers approved some of the EU's toughest migration measures in years, prompting applause from right-wing and far-right lawmakers and cries of "shame on you" from the left. The scenes underscored how dramatically Europe's migration debate has shifted. Once considered politically controversial, plans to send rejected asylum seekers to deportation centers outside the bloc are now moving closer to becoming reality after European lawmakers backed the EU's new Return Regulation with 418 votes in favor and 218 against.

According to Anadolu Agency, at the center of the reform are so-called return hubs, facilities in third countries where rejected asylum seekers could be transferred while awaiting deportation. Supporters argue that this policy is necessary to restore control over migration, while critics warn it could undermine fundamental rights. European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner called the vote an important step towards organizing the European house.

The European Commission first unveiled the proposal in 2025 as part of a broader effort to address what EU officials described as shortcomings in the bloc's return system. Wednesday's vote came less than a week after the EU's Pact on Migration and Asylum entered into force, introducing a common migration framework and paving the way for measures such as return hubs.

The proposal allows EU countries to send rejected asylum seekers to facilities outside the bloc while authorities prepare their deportation. Under current rules, migrants are generally returned to their country of origin or to countries with which they have a connection. The new regulation removes that requirement for return hubs, allowing migrants to be transferred to third countries where they have no personal links. The hubs could serve as transit centers before deportation or as locations where migrants remain while authorities seek cooperation from their countries of origin.

The proposal aims to address what European governments describe as a 'chronic weakness' in the bloc's migration system. According to Eurostat figures, only about 29% of people ordered to leave the bloc are ultimately returned. The proposal's growing appeal reflects a broader rightward shift in European migration politics. While irregular arrivals have decreased in recent years, migration remains a potent issue in European politics, aiding anti-immigration parties in gaining ground and pushing mainstream parties toward tougher positions.

Several governments, including Germany, Austria, Denmark, Greece, and the Netherlands, support external return arrangements and are exploring partnerships with third countries. However, finding countries willing to host Europe's deportation centers may prove challenging. Media reports have linked countries such as Rwanda, Tunisia, and Egypt to discussions about potential return-hub arrangements, although none have been officially confirmed.

Human rights groups argue that practical and legal challenges may be more significant than political ones. They warn that these schemes might require massive detention and surveillance, and there is limited clarity on how rights protections would be enforced. Critics point to provisions extending detention periods, strengthening entry bans, and broadening authorities' powers to locate irregular migrants. Rights groups also note that people transferred outside the EU may find it harder to access legal representation and challenge decisions through European courts.