A coalition of over 70 rights organizations has urged the European Union to reject a controversial proposal aimed at bolstering the deportation of undocumented migrants. This proposal, which was introduced by the European Commission last March, includes measures that could allow for the deportation of individuals to offshore centers in non-EU nations. Rights groups are raising alarms that this could effectively transform public spaces and basic community services into mechanisms for aggressive immigration enforcement reminiscent of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The backdrop of this proposal comes in the wake of the far-right political factions gaining traction in the recent European Parliament elections held in 2024. The draft regulation on the enforcement of deportations still awaits the approval of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), leaving the door open for debates and discussions. Critics argue that if passed, this regulation could normalize the practices of immigration raids and extensive surveillance throughout Europe, and it is feared that these measures would disproportionately affect racialized communities across the continent.

Rights organizations are emphasizing that such a proposal would not only reinforce a punitive immigration system fueled by xenophobic and far-right discourses but would also exacerbate existing racial profiling practices. They highlight the urgent need for a more humane approach to immigration that respects individual rights and fosters integration over exclusion. As the debate continues, the implications of this proposal could redefine immigration policy in the EU, with potential consequences for millions of undocumented individuals and their communities.