EU gives Frontex new powers to deport migrants beyond bloc

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 27 Oct, 17:58 · Archive

The European Commission has proposed expanding the EU border agency Frontex's mandate to conduct deportations beyond EU territory.

The European Commission has proposed a major overhaul of Frontex, the EU border agency based in Warsaw, to expand its role in returning migrants with no legal right to remain in the EU. The reforms would give Frontex new powers to carry out deportations beyond EU territory, including supporting non-EU countries to return migrants to their countries of origin.

The proposal focuses on three key areas: strengthening Frontex's role in deportations, improving its ability to anticipate and respond to border crises within 24 hours, and boosting its operational capacity. According to Magnus Brunner, the EU commissioner for internal affairs and migration, Frontex would become 'the central EU actor on returns' and deploy a quick reaction force within 24 hours to spot risks before events become crises.

The plan envisages gradually expanding Frontex's standing corps to 30,000 officers by creating a new 'European border and return reserve' of 17,000 officers within 15 years. The proposal comes months after EU lawmakers approved a new 'return regulation' aimed at accelerating deportations and allowing member countries to establish controversial deportation hubs outside the EU. Both outlets attribute the push to the humanitarian crisis in Ceuta this summer, with DW News noting that Spain's prime minister at the time criticised several EU member states for their 'selfish' response to migrant arrivals.

How it is being reported

• EU proposes giving Frontex border agency new major powersThe European Commission has unveiled a new plan to give Frontex more resources to ensure the return of irregular migrants, including by supporting non-EU countries. The move comes after the tragedy in Ceuta.DW News · 27 Oct, 17:44
• Frontex set for new powers to deport beyond EU borders in latest overhaulBrussels also wants the agency to be ready to respond to border crises within 24 hours, drawing lessons from Ceuta.Politico Europe · 26 Oct, 21:50

In this story: European Commission · Frontex · EU · Magnus Brunner · Ceuta

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log