00:00The European Union has reached a preliminary deal to tighten asylum rules in a move
00:05that would allow member states to send rejected asylum seekers to third countries outside the bloc.
00:12The agreement forms part of a wider shift towards harder migration policies across the EU,
00:17amid growing pressure from right-wing political parties.
00:22Under the proposal, member states would be able to set up so-called return hubs for migrants
00:27whose asylum claims have been rejected, with some deportees sent to countries where they have no prior connection.
00:34The draft rules also include longer detention periods, along with penalties for those who do not cooperate,
00:41such as entry bans, fines and possible criminal charges.
00:45Authorities would also be given wider powers, including to collect biometric data,
00:50search premises and in some cases detain minors.
00:52The proposal still requires formal approval by EU governments and the European Parliament.
00:58Rights groups warned the plan could expand government powers to detain and deport migrants,
01:04drawing comparisons to US immigration enforcement tactics under President Donald Trump.
01:09The proposal comes despite a 26% drop in irregular arrivals into the European Union in 2025,
01:17reaching their lowest level since 2021.
01:19But EU countries argued that they struggled with enforcing deportation orders,
01:24with only around 20% of people ordered to leave actually being returned.
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