The European Union has implemented more stringent asylum regulations.

The European Union enacts more stringent asylum regulations.

European countries have voted for stricter asylum rules, making it tougher for individuals from secure third nations. The reform seeks to create faster asylum processes at the external borders, as well as support for countries receiving large numbers of migrants. The reform has been in the works since 2015 and 2016, when many people were illegally entering the EU, allegedly bypassing the system in place where they first entered.

Recently, the Council of the European Union confirmed and completed the reform plans. New requirements include uniform procedures at the external borders, facilitating the quick identification of unfounded asylum applications and faster deportation of refugees. Asylum seekers from countries with an EU-wide recognition rate of less than 20% will be processed in reception centers near the borders, potentially affecting countries like Morocco, Tunisia, and Bangladesh.

The asylum reform dates back to 2015 and 2016, when Southern European nations such as Greece were overrun by the huge influx of people from countries such as Syria. Hundreds of thousands came in unregistered to other EU countries, which was against the Dublin Regulation - asylum seekers should go through the process in the country they first entered the EU.

What’s Changed

The new regulations are tougher on those originating from nations considered “relatively safe.” A third country can only be considered safe if it meets stringent conditions. These conditions include protection of the applicant's life and freedom.

A "solidarity mechanism" has been introduced to regulate the distribution of refugees within the EU. Countries experiencing higher influxes, such as Italy, Greece, and Spain, are supposed to have their refugee burden relieved by redistributing at least 30,000 refugees to other EU states annually. If these countries refuse to accept refugees, they must provide assistance, such as cash payments.

Controversy

Previously, there were strong objections to the reform. Concerns included the possibility of families with children ending up in tightly controlled reception camps, which was blocked by the European Parliament and the German government. A major concern was the ease with which rejected asylum seekers could be deported to these safe third countries. This was criticized because more third countries could now be considered safe and even certain parts of countries. National assessments would be sufficient for this classification.

Future Steps

After approval from the EU countries, the reform plans will be published in the Official Journal and will come into effect 20 days later. Countries have two years from the date of entry into force to implement the changes in their national laws. This should give external border countries enough time to create needed facilities for people coming from countries with a recognition rate below 20%. Germany, which receives the most asylum applications in Europe, plans to make the necessary adaptions rapidly.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz deemed the agreement "truly historic," emphasizing the EU's now improved position for a "more humane limitation of irregular migration, reliable border registrations, and a solidarity-based approach that will relieve the European countries with the highest refugee burdens."

Police Union: Pressure to Migrate Remains

The German Police Union spoke against the reform, claiming the pressure to migrate to Europe and specifically Germany would continue. Heiko Teggatz, the union's chairman, insists reduction or elimination of incentives to migrate to Germany is essential. Otherwise, individuals will continue to attempt to enter Germany illegally. Teggatz emphasizes that stopping border controls is inadvisable, stating, "This would be a fatal mistake in terms of security policy."

European countries have now voted for stricter rules regarding asylum, making it tougher for individuals from seemingly safe nations. The reform has been in the works for years and prioritizes faster asylum procedures at the exterior borders and support for countries experiencing high refugee arriving. Critics remain skeptical as the pressure to migrate to Europe and Germany will apparently remain high. The new regulations have faced criticism due to their ease of application in various parts of safe third countries. Following approval by the EU countries, the reform's provisions will be published in the Official Journal and come into force 20 days later, giving countries two years to implement the changes in their national laws. Germany aims to move more quickly, desiring relief for its borders and local authorities.

European politicians celebrated the outcome, deeming the agreement a significant step forward in asylum policies. The German Police Union was less enthusiastic, warning the migration pressure would continue.