On 17 June the EU Parliament voted to give the final stamp of approval to a raft of draconian immigration enforcement measures that were provisionally agreed between EU member states and the EU Parliament on 1 June. Dubbed the EU’s ‘strictest-ever’ migration law, it will give states broader powers to brutally enforce their racist immigration controls by establishing EU-wide deportation processes. After the vote, far-right MEPs in the chamber chanted ‘send them back’ in celebration.
States will be allowed to imprison migrants and their families in ‘return hubs’ (detention centres) in countries outside the EU, regardless of whether the migrant has any connection to that country. The maximum time for detention will be increased from six months to 24 months, with a potential extension to 30 months, while those deemed a ‘security risk’ could be held indefinitely.
The legislation will also introduce ICE-style policing and surveillance of migrants. Immigration enforcement authorities will be able to ‘carry out specific investigative actions to prepare or ensure an effective return’ which includes stop and search, property raids, and the seizure of personal property.
Significantly, the legislation removes protection for migrants during the appeals process. Deportation proceedings will no longer be automatically suspended during appeals, instead suspension will be decided on a case-by-case basis by the courts.
Lead Rapporteur for the legislation Malik Azmani stated: ‘People rightly expect that those with no right to stay return to their countries of origin. That’s why I have one clear priority: effective, realistic return measures. And after almost 20 years of standstill, Europe finally has them. Return is the final piece in Europe’s migration system, and I’m hugely proud it’s now in place.’
Such comments only reflect the nature of the EU: a viciously racist, imperialist bloc and an enemy to the working class.
Tom Weston
