EU migration reform raises prospect of controversial return hubs

FILE - Members of a group of some 30 migrants seeking asylum are seen in Bialowieza, Poland, on Sunday, 28 May 2023. © Agnieszka Sadowska / AP

The EU on Tuesday opened the way for member states to set up migrant return centres outside the bloc, in a highly contentious move following pressure from governments to facilitate deportations.

With data showing less than 20 percent of people ordered to leave the EU currently do so, the European Commission unveiled a planned reform of the bloc's return system, including making it easier to lock up undocumented migrants.