EU Parliament and Member States Postpone Agreement on Migrant Return Rules

The European Parliament and EU member states failed to reach agreement on new rules for the return of irregular migrants after three sessions of talks in Strasbourg. Negotiators decided to resume discussions on 1 June. The only point of contention was the timeframe for enforcing the law, according to multiple sources in the room.

The provisional text allows national authorities to search irregular migrants' place of residence or other relevant premises, subject to a prior judicial or administrative order. The law also permits EU countries to return irregular migrants to third countries that have bilateral agreements to host return hubs.

The maximum legal detention period for irregular migrants would increase from six months to two years, with an unlimited duration for persons considered a security risk. Entry bans applied to returned people would extend from five to ten years, with potential lifelong bans for individuals posing a security risk.

The Parliament wants enforcement to begin immediately. EU member states are pushing to begin applying most provisions in two years, with some governments stating they need time to adjust their systems. Diplomats told Euronews that all remaining issues, including the most controversial ones, have been provisionally agreed.

" "Instead of fighting for a dignified and humane text, they chose to focus on a ridiculous battle over when the text would start applying," she said. After an agreement is reached, the final text will need to be formally approved by MEPs and EU countries.

The European Commission will push to finalize the agreement before the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum comes into force in mid-June.