Brussels – Nearly 70 non-governmental organizations have issued a stark warning that a proposed overhaul of European Union migration policy risks replicating the aggressive enforcement tactics of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), potentially leading to increased raids, surveillance, and the establishment of detention centers outside of EU borders. The concerns center on a regulation tabled by the European Commission in March 2025, which aims to accelerate the deportation of individuals lacking legal residency within the bloc.
The proposed measures, currently under review by the European Parliament, would grant authorities expanded powers to detain and deport undocumented migrants, including the creation of “return hubs” in third countries – facilities where asylum seekers whose claims are rejected would be transferred. Rights groups fear these hubs could become de facto detention centers, raising serious human rights concerns. Michele LeVoy, director of the Platform for International Cooperation on Undocumented Migrants (PICUM), warned that the legislation could normalize “police raids” and “racial profiling” measures “in the style of ICE.” “We cannot be outraged by what ICE is doing in the United States while supporting these practices in Europe,” she stated.
The alarm comes as far-right parties have gained prominence following the 2024 European Parliament elections, potentially influencing the outcome of the vote on the proposed regulation. A joint statement released Monday by 75 rights organizations across Europe described the proposal as a framework that “would consolidate a punitive system, fuelled by far-right rhetoric and based on racialised suspicion, denunciation, detention and deportation.” The groups cautioned that Europe’s historical experience with systems of surveillance and scapegoating should serve as a warning against adopting such policies.
The European Commission defends the proposals as necessary to improve deportation rates, which currently stand at roughly one in five individuals without the right to remain in the EU. Officials characterize the measures as “effective and modern procedures” to address a longstanding challenge. However, critics argue that the focus on increased enforcement overlooks the root causes of migration and fails to offer viable alternatives to detention and deportation.
Concerns extend beyond the creation of offshore detention facilities. Rights groups are likewise worried about the potential for increased surveillance and immigration checks in public spaces, workplaces, and even private residences. As reported by MSN, the proposed legislation could lead to “ICE-like raids” across the continent. This echoes warnings from Michele LeVoy, who cautioned that the powers granted by the regulation could be used to target undocumented migrants not only in their homes but also in their daily lives.
The debate over the EU’s migration policy is unfolding against a backdrop of increasing political polarization and growing anti-immigrant sentiment in several member states. The proposed regulation is expected to face fierce opposition from left-leaning members of the European Parliament, who argue that it undermines fundamental rights and fails to address the humanitarian needs of migrants and asylum seekers. The final outcome of the vote remains uncertain, but the controversy highlights the deep divisions within the EU over how to manage migration flows and integrate newcomers.
As of February 18, 2026, the European Commission has not responded to specific concerns raised by rights groups regarding the potential for ICE-style enforcement tactics. The proposed regulation remains under consideration by the European Parliament, with a vote scheduled for later this year.
