EU Nations Plan Controversial Return Hubs for Migrants by 2027
By Editor • September 4, 2026 • 1 min read
In a significant move towards stricter migration policies, five European Union countries have announced plans to establish "return hubs" for rejected asylum seekers in a non-EU country by 2027. This initiative, which aims to streamline the process of deporting individuals whose asylum applications are denied, was discussed during a meeting in Copenhagen on September 4, 2026.
Denmark's Minister for Immigration and Integration, Morten Boedskov, along with officials from Greece, Austria, Germany, and the Netherlands, revealed that they are in negotiations with an unnamed partner country that could host these return centers. While the specific location has not been finalized, Uganda and Rwanda are being considered as potential sites.
"Around New Year, we expect to have a common understanding with a partner country outside of the European Union," Boedskov stated, emphasizing the goal of having these return hubs operational by 2027. Earlier discussions indicated that Denmark is prepared to start sending rejected asylum seekers to these hubs by the end of that year.
This initiative follows the European Parliament's recent approval of stricter migration regulations, which include expanded detention powers and the creation of return hubs. However, the proposal has drawn sharp criticism from human rights organizations who argue that it undermines the rights of migrants. The announcement also comes on the heels of other countries, like Britain, abandoning similar deportation schemes.
Source: www.thehindu.com
