Inside the EU chamber, a law was passed approving a plan to increase deportations. European lawmakers took part in a vote aimed at boosting deportations throughout the European Union (EU).
The vote took place in the European Parliament last Wednesday, after lawmakers voted 418 to 218 in favor of returning to these controversial measures, which aim to increase the deportation of both documented and undocumented individuals.
These reforms have faced heavy criticism from human rights groups, including Amnesty International France, which this week labeled the plans as “cruel and discriminatory.” Additionally, 16 United Nations (UN) experts recently issued a report detailing more than a dozen ways in which these rules could violate international human rights.
The plans include measures where people can be detained for a period of up to two years, or sent to detention centers outside of the continent (offshore), which has been described as “black holes for human rights.” Aside from this, the new rules pave the way for an “ICE-style” immigration enforcement (similar to the one in the United States) to take place in Europe. The situation of illegality and individuals leaving their countries to go to others has not created a positive situation for the receiving countries. Many arrive with their own customs and end up violating the laws of the country, requiring the host nations to incur more expenses each time. The rights of the countries are being trampled upon—this applies to the whole of Europe, now that the law has been approved.