On Tuesday, the European Parliament approved two significant texts that tighten immigration policies across EU countries, reflecting a notable shift towards anti-immigration measures that have escalated over the past decade. The amendments require final official approval from the governments of the 27 EU member states and signify a major change in the bloc's immigration policy, which has been largely influenced by the influx of over a million refugees and migrants during the years 2015 and 2016. This decision indicates a legislative response to past migration crises and the ongoing debates surrounding the management and rights of asylum seekers within Europe.

The approved amendments include changes to the asylum procedure regulations, allowing for the creation of a list of countries deemed 'safe,' to which rejected asylum seekers can be sent back. This list currently includes countries such as Kosovo, Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, India, Morocco, and Tunisia. Human rights groups have reacted critically to this development, arguing that it could potentially lead to human rights violations and undermines established asylum rights enshrined in the 1951 Convention, which prohibits the return of asylum seekers to countries where they might face danger.

With the new regulations, EU countries will have the authority to reject asylum applications if the applicant can find protection in a country classified as safe by the EU. This shift not only raises concerns regarding the viability of asylum for vulnerable individuals but also hints at the growing trend of European nations tightening their immigration policies in response to political pressures and public sentiment aimed at limiting the influx of migrants. The implications of these policies could see significant repercussions for international cooperation on asylum and refugee issues, as well as the treatment of migrants throughout the EU region.