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European Union lawmakers approved a major revamp of the bloc’s migration laws to gear up for managing the entry of thousands of people without authorization. Analysts say that such legislation is politically motivated, a vote-winning campaign issue ahead of the June elections.
European Union lawmakers approved a major revamp of the bloc’s migration laws to gear up for managing the entry of thousands of people without authorization. Analysts say that such legislation is politically motivated, a vote-winning campaign issue ahead of the June elections.
The Pact on Migration and Asylum addresses the thorny issue of who should take responsibility for migrants when they arrive and whether other EU countries should be obliged to help. The proceedings were briefly interrupted by a small but noisy group of demonstrators in the public gallery, who wearing shirts marked “This pact kills” raised slogans against the vote.
The 27 EU member countries must now endorse the reform package. This will happen possibly in a vote in late April before it can take effect. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, a former lead lawmaker on migration who helped pave the way for the reform package, welcomed the move. German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser described the result as a major and very important success.
Over 1.3 million people, mostly those fleeing war in Syria and Iraq, sought refuge in Europe in 2015. The EU’s asylum system collapsed, reception centers were overwhelmed in Greece and Italy, and countries further north built barriers to stop people from entering.
The new rules include controversial measures: facial images and fingerprints could be taken from children from the age of 6, and people may be detained during screening. Fast-track deportation could be used on those not permitted to stay.
On the other side of the ledger, countries can be obligated to help their EU partners by offering to house people eligible for asylum or, failing that, to pay the costs of lodging them elsewhere. Migrant and human rights groups mostly slammed the reform package.
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The outcry over migrants in Europe focuses largely on the tiny minority of people who enter on unseaworthy boats or cross Europe’s borders on foot. Millions enter legally each year. Less than 10% are living in Europe illegally, and the majority of those entered with permission but refused to leave when their visas expired.
