The European Union (E.U.) is increasingly adopting tactics similar to those of the Trump administration regarding migration control, leading to growing concerns about the future of human rights and the treatment of migrants in Europe. These changes come as right-wing parties gain power in several European nations, shaping stricter immigration policies.
Expansion of E.U. Deportation Policies
The E.U. is moving forward with plans to track, raid, and deport migrants to “return hubs” located in third countries, particularly in Africa. These measures have raised concerns among human rights groups, especially as they resemble policies implemented by U.S. President Donald Trump. The shift is part of a broader migration reform plan, the Pact on Migration and Asylum, which will take effect on June 12, 2026.
The policies are framed as a response to the 2015 migration crisis, when nearly a million refugees, particularly from Syria, arrived in Europe. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has stated that the new measures aim to prevent a similar crisis, calling them a step forward in Europe’s ability to handle migration more effectively. However, critics argue that the policies risk undermining fundamental rights and protections for migrants.
Italy as a Model for E.U. Migration Policy
A key example of these tightening measures can be seen in Italy, where Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has pushed a hardline stance on immigration. Italy has set up migrant detention centers for rejected asylum-seekers in Albania, where many migrants are detained before being deported.
This model is being discussed as a potential blueprint for other European countries, with an informal coalition of nations, including Germany, Austria, Netherlands, Denmark, and Greece, exploring similar deportation center agreements.
Countries like Kenya have been identified as potential locations for “return hubs” where deported migrants could be sent. This echoes Trump’s deportation agreements with countries such as El Salvador, which saw migrants deported to other nations. Critics, such as Dutch MEP Tineke Strik, have pointed out the striking similarities to Trump-era policies.
Increase in Migrant Pushbacks and Raids
The new E.U. policies have already led to an uptick in pushbacks, where migrants attempting to enter the E.U. are forcibly returned to their countries without being allowed access to asylum procedures. Humanitarian organizations report an average of 221 pushbacks per day in 2025, mostly in countries like Italy, Poland, Bulgaria, and Latvia.
These pushbacks often involve brutal tactics, including:
- Beatings and attacks by police dogs
- Forced strip searches
- Robbery of personal belongings
- Dangerous river crossings
Such practices have drawn comparisons to the U.S.’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) tactics, with Flor Didden, a migration expert from 11.11.11 (a Belgian human rights group), highlighting the hypocrisy in global outrage over U.S. border practices while Europe is seen to adopt similar methods.
Growing Use of Surveillance and Raids
In addition to pushbacks, there is a growing reliance on surveillance technologies such as drones, thermal cameras, and satellites to monitor migrants. E.U. authorities are also ramping up police raids in private homes and public spaces, raising concerns about racial profiling and the erosion of legal protections for vulnerable populations.
A February letter from 88 non-profit groups to the E.U. institutions warned of the risks of these measures, highlighting how they could lead to increased racial profiling and the hollowing out of legal protections.
Michele LeVoy, director of the Platform for International Cooperation on Undocumented Migrants, argued that Europe cannot justify its outrage over U.S. immigration practices while supporting similar ones within its own borders.
A Shift Toward Trump-Style Tactics
Despite the E.U.’s more robust legal framework for protecting vulnerable migrants compared to the U.S., human rights advocates like Olivia Sundberg Diez from Amnesty International are concerned that Europe is increasingly following the same political momentum toward harsher immigration policies.
She warned that while European institutions are more independent and compliance with human rights law remains a priority, the political impulse is becoming disturbingly similar to the tactics seen during the Trump era.
The Role of the European Right-Wing in Migration Politics
The rise of right-wing parties across Europe, particularly in 2024, has played a significant role in shaping migration policy. These parties, many of which have praised Trump’s immigration policies, are pushing for stricter controls and more deportations.
This political shift is influencing migration policies at the national and E.U. levels, where the far-right has increasingly found a receptive audience for deportation and border security measures.
A Divisive and Dangerous Shift in Migration Policy
The E.U.’s expanding deportation tactics and tightening migration policies signal a major shift in how European nations are approaching immigration. While these measures are framed as necessary for national security and border control, the human rights implications cannot be ignored.
With increasing use of surveillance, raids, and pushbacks, the E.U. risks repeating the mistakes of the Trump administration while undermining the very protections that have long defined European approaches to asylum and immigration law.
The coming months will be crucial as the Pact on Migration and Asylum goes into effect and as the E.U. faces increasing pressure from both far-right politicians and human rights groups to find a balance between national security concerns and the protection of migrants’ rights.
