The European Parliament has voted to speed up the removal of illegal immigrants from the European Union, with 418 lawmakers in favor and 218 against. The new rules would allow member states to detain some migrants for up to 24 months, with a possible six-month extension, and create a framework for ‘return hubs’ outside the EU in third countries willing to receive migrants with return decisions.

Reaction to the Vote

Right-wing lawmakers stood, applauded, and chanted ‘send them back’ after the vote was announced, while lawmakers on the left responded by chanting ‘shame on you.’ The legislation still requires formal approval by the Council of the European Union and publication in the Official Journal before it enters into force.

Supporters of the rules say they are necessary because EU countries have struggled to enforce deportation orders. The European Conservatives and Reformists Group, citing the European Commission, said only around 20% of migrants who receive a return decision are actually returned.

Critics, however, have accused lawmakers of dehumanizing migrants and weakening core protections. Human rights groups have also raised alarms, with the United Nations human rights chief warning that the new rules risk expanding detention and weakening safeguards against forced returns.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.