Brussels: Europe and the Arabs
Just hours after the European Commission's plans to address the issue of returning people to their countries of origin or to other countries outside the European Union, the Patriots for Europe organization launched an initiative consisting of a toolbox for a robust return policy. The European group Patriots for Europe, of which the Belgian far-right party Vlaams Belang is a member, presented its R.E.T.U.R.N. toolbox, a concrete plan to finally make Europe's return policy effective. Through this toolbox, the patriots offer a powerful alternative to the EU's failed policy, which fails to return illegal immigrants. According to a statement issued by the Belgian Vlaams Belang party, a copy of which we received Thursday morning, it reads, “500,000 irregular migrants are issued return orders every year, but less than 20% of them are actually deported. According to MEP Tom Vandendriesch, this toolkit represents a necessary change of course: “The EU continues to adhere to a soft policy that fails to actually return irregular migrants. Now only 1 in 5 is returning. We are proposing a radically different approach: no loopholes, no excuses. Anyone who enters illegally must be deported immediately.” The statement also reads, “One of the key points of the R.E.T.U.R.N. toolkit is the automatic and mandatory implementation of return decisions. Voluntary returns should be abolished, as they give irregular migrants the opportunity to hide within the EU. If you are here illegally, you must return immediately. No voluntary departure periods that undermine the system,” says Vandendriesch. In addition, the detention of irregular migrants should be expanded. Anyone without a valid residence permit or asylum status should be immediately detained until the deportation process is completed. “Irregular migration is a crime and must be treated as such,” Vandendriesch said. “This is the only way to deal with the growing number of irregular migrants on our territory.” The toolkit also proposes a tougher approach to third countries that refuse to take back their nationals. Patriots for Europe calls for development aid, trade agreements, and visa arrangements to be immediately linked to readmission obligations. “No return? Then no money, no trade, no visas. It could be that simple,” Vandendriesch says. The Patriots also call for a mandatory five-year entry ban on every irregular migrant. Member states should be given the freedom to expand this cooperation, especially where there is a security risk. “We offer a practical alternative to the EU’s permissive migration policy.” The R.E.T.U.R.N. toolkit also proposes reforming the application of the non-refoulement principle. Currently, this principle is being abused to indefinitely delay return procedures. Patriots for Europe wants a negative asylum decision to effectively end residence in Europe. This can be achieved by establishing offshore centers for return and asylum in safe third countries, so that returns are no longer blocked by legal loopholes. Through the R.E.T.U.R.N. toolbox, Patriots for Europe offers a practical alternative to the EU's permissive immigration policy. “The time for endless discussions is over,” Vandendriesch concludes. “We demand a safe Europe that defends its borders and enforces its laws.”
Two days ago, the European Commission proposed the creation of a Common European Return System, which would include faster, simpler, and more effective return procedures across the EU. This new legal framework, announced by President von der Leyen in the Political Guidelines and called for by the European Council in October 2024, is a key component of the Pact on Migration and Asylum adopted last year, which established a comprehensive approach to migration.
With return rates across the EU currently at only 20%, and with the fragmentation of the various systems that facilitate abuse, a modern, simpler, and more effective legal framework is needed. The new rules will provide Member States with the tools to make returns more efficient while fully respecting fundamental rights.
The new common rules include:
A truly European system, consisting of a list of common procedures for issuing return decisions and a European Return Order issued by Member States. With 27 different systems currently in place, this will reduce fragmentation at the Union level. Mutual recognition of return decisions will allow a Member State to recognize and implement a return decision issued by another Member State directly, without having to initiate a new process. By 1 July 2027, one year after the entry into force of the Migration and Asylum Pact, the Commission will review whether Member States have put in place appropriate arrangements to effectively process European return orders and will adopt an implementing decision making recognition and implementation of a return decision issued by another Member State mandatory.
Clear rules on forced returns, with incentives for voluntary returns: Forced returns will be mandatory when a person residing irregularly in the EU fails to cooperate, flees to another Member State, fails to leave the EU by the deadline for voluntary departure, or poses a security risk.

This approach incentivizes voluntary return within the deadlines set for leaving the EU.
Stronger commitments for returnees, balanced with clear safeguards: Explicit commitments to cooperate with national authorities throughout the entire return procedure. These measures are complemented by clear consequences for non-cooperation, such as reduced or denied allowances or confiscation of travel documents. At the same time, incentives for cooperation will be strengthened, including support for voluntary return.
Strong safeguards throughout the entire return process: All measures related to return must be implemented with full respect for fundamental and international human rights standards. This is ensured through clear procedures, such as the right to appeal, support for vulnerable persons, strong safeguards for minors and families, and adherence to the principle of non-refoulement.
Stronger rules to curb abuse and manage flight: Member States will be provided with strengthened rules for identifying returnees, with the possibility of requesting financial guarantees, regular reporting, or residence in a place designated by national authorities. The new rules set out clear conditions for detention in cases of risk of flight, as well as alternatives to detention. Detention may last up to 24 months, compared to the current 18 months. Furthermore, the suspensive effect of return decisions will no longer be automatic, unless there are issues of non-refoulement.
Specific rules for persons posing a security risk: Member states will be required to conduct an early screening to determine whether a person poses a security risk. Once identified, these individuals will be subject to strict rules, including mandatory refoulement, longer entry bans, and separate detention grounds. Detention may be extended beyond the normal 24 months by order of a judge.
Readmission as part of the return process: To bridge the gap between a return decision and an actual return to a third country, the new rules establish a common procedure to ensure that a return decision is systematically followed up with a readmission request. They also allow for the transfer of data to third countries for the purpose of readmission.
Return axes: Member states have called for innovative solutions to manage migration. This proposal introduces the legal possibility of returning individuals irregularly residing in the EU who have received a final return decision to a third country based on a bilateral or EU-wide agreement or arrangement. Such an agreement or arrangement may be concluded with a third country that respects international human rights standards and principles, in accordance with international law, including the principle of non-refoulement. Families with minors and unaccompanied minors are excluded from this, and the implementation of such agreements or arrangements must be subject to monitoring. Regarding the next step, the European Commission said in a statement, "The European Parliament and the Council must now approve the proposal."
The Commission will support the participating legislators to advance negotiations on the draft regulation. The Commission will also publish a staff working document detailing the evidence used to prepare the proposal.
It is worth noting that under the Migration and Asylum Pact, which will enter into force in mid-2026, asylum applications will be processed more quickly and efficiently. For this to be sustainable, returns must follow as quickly as possible. This proposal fills this gap. The new proposal repeals the current Return Directive issued in 2008. The Commission's proposal to rewrite the Return Directive, submitted in 2018, will be repealed, as announced in the Commission's 2025 Work Programme.