EU Approves Migrant Deportation to Third Countries

The European Parliament has approved legislation allowing member states to deport asylum seekers to designated “safe” countries outside the EU, even if they have no ties to those nations. The new rules, supported by center and far-right lawmakers, enable deportations based on mere transit through these countries, which must respect international migrant treatment standards. Rights groups warn this policy risks sending migrants to locations where they face potential abuse. The legislation reflects a growing anti-immigration sentiment in the EU, intensifying since the 2015-16 migrant influx.