Europe needs to speed up returns

Lena Düpont, EPP LIBE Coordinator, warns that Europe's failure to enforce return decisions puts citizens' safety at risk. Tragic attacks by rejected asylum seekers highlight the urgent need for reform. Düpont calls for strict, enforceable rules to ensure that those with no right to stay must leave.

Our continent is being shaken by acts of violence committed by individuals who had no right to be in Europe and should not have been here.

The failure to enforce decisions to return failed asylum seekers who pose a threat to Europe's security has had serious consequences.

In January, in Aschaffenburg, a man and a two-year-old toddler were brutally killed in a knife attack by an Afghan migrant who had been ordered to leave the country. In Munich, another deliberately drove his car into a crowd, injuring 36 people. In Solingen, a Syrian national killed three people and wounded eight.

These tragic events are a painful reminder that Europe urgently needs to overhaul its return systems to ensure that dangerous people do not remain here illegally.

Every year, almost half a million people are ordered to leave the EU, yet only one in five actually does.

This failure to enforce return orders leaves European citizens vulnerable to attacks, as many rejected asylum seekers remain in Europe despite being required to leave.

The EPP Group has long called for a stronger and more efficient return process.

On 11 March 2025, the European Commission will present a new legislative proposal to speed up the return of migrants who have no legal right to stay in Europe. These new rules must be ambitious, clear, and enforceable.

EU countries must improve coordination, and the EU border agency Frontex should play a greater role in managing returns. Since 2019, Frontex has helped organise around 10% of all returns, but it can - and should - do more.

There must be stricter measures for rejected asylum seekers who pose a security threat. Those who pose a risk to public safety must be detained until they can be returned, rather than being allowed to roam freely in Europe and commit crimes.

Countries that refuse to take back their nationals should face consequences. These steps are essential to making return policies more effective.

Europe cannot afford any more tragedies. An enforceable return system is essential to protect citizens and ensure that Europe's asylum system works for those who genuinely need it.

If you have no right to be in Europe - you should not be here. It is time for Europe to act.

Lena Düpont, LIBE Coordinator

Disclaimer – All opinions expressed in this column reflect the views of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of EXPERT EUROPE or its editorial team.