EU Parliament Council Agree Expand Europol Role Combat Migrant Smuggling Human Trafficking

European Union authorities have agreed to significantly enhance Europol's role and capabilities in combating migrant smuggling and human trafficking. The agreement includes the establishment of a European Centre Against Migrant Smuggling within Europol, which will incorporate liaison officers from Eurojust and Frontex to improve inter-agency cooperation and support member states with strategic, operational, and technical assistance. Europol will receive increased funding of €50 million, additional staffing of 50 personnel, and enhanced resources to process biometric data, such as fingerprints and facial images. Member states are now required to share more information systematically with Europol, including data from immigration liaison officers in third countries, to strengthen intelligence and operational coordination. This expansion of Europol's mandate aims to dismantle transnational criminal networks exploiting migration routes, with EU officials emphasizing the importance of Europeans controlling migration flows rather than smugglers. The agreement, proposed by the European Commission in late 2023, awaits formal approval but marks a significant step toward reinforcing EU-level law enforcement collaboration against organized crime related to migration.