EU Considers Return Centers for Illegal Migrants

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson announced that the EU could propose the establishment of 'return hubs' as early as March to expedite the deportation of illegal migrants. This plan, discussed during a meeting with Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer, aims to send rejected asylum seekers to centers outside of Europe. The initiative is driven by increasing support for far-right parties and a push for stricter immigration controls within the Schengen Area, where 18 countries are now seeking to collaborate on this issue. Kristersson mentioned that he had conferred with EU Commissioner for Migration Magnus Brunner, who confirmed that a proposal would be forthcoming in the spring. Both leaders emphasized the necessity of united efforts to address illegal immigration effectively. The implications of these proposed return hubs are likely to spark ongoing debates surrounding human rights and the future of EU immigration policy.