EU home affairs ministers have agreed on a new set of migration rules that will significantly change how the bloc handles rejected asylum seekers. The measures introduce the possibility of sending migrants to “return hubs” outside the European Union, marking one of the toughest policy shifts in recent years.

The agreement reflects a broader trend toward stricter migration enforcement, similar to recent approaches taken in the United States.

Tougher Measures for Rejected Asylum Seekers

Under the new framework, EU member states would be allowed to transfer rejected asylum seekers to third countries deemed “safe,” where they may be held in designated return hubs while awaiting deportation.

The rules also permit:

• extended detention periods
• home searches and seizure of belongings
• immediate rejection of asylum claims if protection was available outside the EU

These changes expand member states’ powers to manage irregular migration and speed up removal procedures.

Deals With Third Countries Expected

Member states will now have a legal basis to negotiate bilateral agreements with non-EU countries willing to host return hubs.
The Netherlands has already signed a deal with Uganda to accept rejected asylum seekers—an approach that mirrors earlier US strategies involving transfers to African nations.

The arrangement could open the door for further offshore facilities, similar to proposals seen in the UK and Denmark.

EU-Wide List of “Safe Countries”

Ministers also approved a uniform list of countries considered safe for returns and fast-track asylum procedures. The list includes:

• Bangladesh
• Colombia
• Egypt
• India
• Kosovo
• Morocco
• Tunisia

Human rights groups have criticised the inclusion of some countries due to concerns about political repression and migrant safety. The framework allows a country to be labelled “safe” even if only part of its territory meets the criteria.

Next Steps Before Implementation

The legislative package must now be negotiated with the European Parliament before it can take effect. Many governments hope the reforms will resolve previous legal challenges that blocked earlier attempts to process asylum seekers in third countries.

If approved, the policies could reshape Europe’s migration approach and expand offshore processing across the region.