A quiet shift is underway in Europe, one that echoes policies once considered radical and distinctly American. The European Union is dramatically expanding its authority to track, detain, and deport migrants, establishing “return hubs” in countries across Africa and beyond. This move, largely unnoticed by the public, mirrors tactics previously employed by the Trump administration and is sparking intense debate within the 27-nation bloc.
The tightening of migration policies gained momentum as right-wing parties rose to power across Europe in 2024. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen insists these measures are a necessary response to prevent a repeat of the 2015 migration crisis, triggered by the Syrian civil war, when over a million people sought asylum on European soil. “We have learnt the lessons of the past,” she stated, “and today, we are better equipped.” The new regulations, known as the Pact on Migration and Asylum, officially take effect this month.
Italy is already serving as a testing ground for this new approach. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has implemented a “tough on migration” policy, including the operation of two detention centers in Albania. Recent visits by lawmakers revealed a disturbing reality: migrants held within these centers are often confused and deeply frightened. Meloni’s government has also approved legislation granting the navy broad powers to intercept vessels at sea and accelerate deportations.
Beyond Italy, an “informal group” of EU nations – Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Greece – are actively pursuing agreements to establish similar deportation centers in other countries. Kenya is reportedly among those being considered, raising concerns that the EU is replicating the controversial deals struck by the Trump administration with nations like El Salvador to accept deported migrants.
Sweden is also considering establishing these external hubs, specifically targeting asylum seekers from Afghanistan and Syria. The move reflects a growing sentiment within Europe, where some openly admire the aggressive immigration enforcement tactics of the United States. During the Winter Olympics in Italy, protests erupted over the presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents providing security, yet others within Europe are calling for the creation of dedicated deportation police units.
However, this escalating enforcement comes at a steep cost. Human rights organizations report a surge in illegal pushbacks – the forceful return of migrants across borders without any opportunity to seek asylum. An average of 221 pushbacks occur daily, with over 80,000 recorded in the last year alone, primarily in Italy, Poland, Bulgaria, and Latvia. These pushbacks are often accompanied by horrific abuses.
Reports detail migrants subjected to beatings, attacks by police dogs, forced stripping, and even being forced to cross dangerous rivers, all while having their personal belongings stolen. The brutality echoes tactics seen in the United States, with some European border authorities even concealing their identities behind masks. Critics question the moral consistency of condemning abuses in the U.S. while turning a blind eye to similar actions within Europe.
The EU is also expanding its use of surveillance technology – drones, thermal cameras, and satellites – to monitor the movement of migrants. Simultaneously, legal protections are being eroded, with new regulations authorizing more police raids and increased reliance on surveillance and racial profiling. Nonprofit organizations warn that this combination of increased enforcement and diminished rights creates a dangerous environment for vulnerable individuals.
Despite the hardening stance, some argue that Europe still maintains stronger protections for migrants than the United States. A degree of institutional independence and judicial oversight remains. However, the underlying political impulse – a desire to drastically reduce migration – is undeniably the same, and many fear the human consequences will be equally devastating. The question now is whether Europe can navigate this new path without sacrificing its fundamental values.
