On its plenary meeting in Strasbourg, the European Parliament gave the final green light to a new EU migration law, which is not the first one and may not be the last. The new law allows controversial return hubs outside the bloc to be built in non-EU-member European countries, such as Albania.
The European Parliament approved the law thanks to backing from centre-right and far-right political groups. The new law concentrates only on the return of migrants with no legal right to remain in the EU.
How the Hubs Would Work
The hubs would serve either as transit facilities, where people await return to their country of origin, or as locations where migrants remain for an extended period, potentially without a time limit or guarantee of onward return. Only unaccompanied minors would be exempt from the measure, while families with children could be transferred to the hubs.
The law was approved by 418 votes to 218, with 30 abstentions.
After the result was announced, supporters of the bill applauded, while some MEPs on the right of the chamber chanted “send them back,” in reference to irregular migrants.
