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88 NGOs warn that new return rules could normalize raids, mass data collection and racial profiling across Europe
A new European Union proposal on migrant returns is sparking strong criticism from human rights groups, who warn that it could push Europe toward enforcement methods similar to those used by U.S. immigration authorities.
In a joint statement signed by 88 organizations, civil society groups expressed concern that the planned regulation on migrant returns could lead to practices resembling those of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the U.S. federal agency responsible for immigration enforcement and removals.
According to the signatories, the new rules would require EU Member States to actively “identify” undocumented migrants, potentially transforming everyday spaces — including public services and even private homes — into tools of immigration control.
What the Proposal Contains
The draft regulation, presented by the European Commission in March 2025, outlines stricter procedures for returning people who do not have the legal right to remain in the EU.
Human rights organizations argue that some of the measures included in the proposal are already being applied in certain Member States and could become more widespread if the regulation is adopted in its current form.
Among the most controversial elements are the possibility of police raids in private homes. According to the NGOs, the proposed rules could allow authorities to enter residences to check documents, in some cases even without a judicial warrant.
Public spaces could also become areas of intensified control. In Belgium, for example, road checkpoints have reportedly been introduced on highways, as well as checks in train stations and airports. Critics fear that similar practices could expand across the Union.
Mass Data Collection and Biometric Tracking
The joint statement, published by the international NGO Platform for International Cooperation on Undocumented Migrants (PICUM), also highlights concerns about large-scale data collection and information sharing between police forces across the EU.
The proposal includes stronger use of biometric identification systems, which can track individuals through fingerprints, facial recognition or other physical characteristics. Human rights groups argue that such tools, if used broadly, could disproportionately target undocumented migrants and even people who are victims of racial discrimination.
Other measures mentioned in the criticism include reporting obligations for public authorities and possible practices of racial profiling. Controls based on appearance, language or perceived origin — rather than concrete behaviour — risk reinforcing discrimination that, according to NGOs, is already widespread in Europe.
The organizations describe these developments as “real and immediate threats.”
A Heated Political Context
Migration remains one of the most sensitive issues in European politics. Just last week, during a plenary session at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Members of the European Parliament gave final approval to the EU’s first common list of safe countries of origin and revised the criteria for designating safe third countries.
Meanwhile, the proposed returns regulation — which also foresees the creation of controversial “return hubs” outside the EU — has already been approved by national governments in the Council of the European Union but is still under discussion in the European Parliament.
For migrant rights organizations, the direction of travel is clear: stricter enforcement and faster expulsions.
Impact on Daily Life
Critics warn that the consequences could go far beyond immigration control. According to the 88 NGOs, tougher identification and reporting requirements could create a climate of fear among undocumented migrants and even among people perceived to be migrants.
They argue that individuals might avoid essential services out of fear of being reported to authorities. This could affect access to healthcare, including prenatal care, treatment for chronic illnesses and vaccinations. Education and social services could also be impacted if families hesitate to engage with public institutions.
The concern is that immigration enforcement would increasingly overlap with everyday life, weakening social cohesion and trust within communities.
International Concerns
Worries about the proposal are not limited to civil society groups. On January 26, sixteen United Nations special rapporteurs, independent experts and working groups sent a joint letter to the European Commission, the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union.
In their letter, they warned that the regulation could introduce reporting obligations for professionals such as healthcare workers or social service providers, discouraging migrants from seeking essential support and potentially undermining fundamental rights protections.
The “ICE Model” Comparison
The comparison with ICE has become a central theme in the debate. Michele LeVoy, director of PICUM, stated that the outcome of the new rules could be “a series of ICE-style raids in private homes, public spaces and workplaces.”
Her message is clear: Europe cannot criticize immigration enforcement practices in the United States while adopting similar approaches at home.
Supporters of stricter policies argue that effective return procedures are necessary to maintain the credibility of the EU’s asylum and migration system. Critics respond that enforcement must not come at the cost of fundamental rights and non-discrimination.
As negotiations continue in the European Parliament, the debate highlights a broader question facing the European Union: how to balance border control and human dignity. The final shape of the regulation will determine whether Europe moves toward a more security-driven model — or finds a way to combine enforcement with stronger safeguards for human rights.
Alessandro Fiorentino