On October 6th, Reuters reported a significant surge in immigrant deportations within the European Union during the second quarter of 2023, with a notable increase of 29%. Eurostat, the European statistics agency, unveiled this data, attributing the surge to intensified deportations from France and Germany. The primary driving force behind this heightened deportation activity is the EU’s concerted effort to manage an unusually high influx of arrivals, both legal and illegal.

In total, 105,865 non-EU citizens were instructed to leave EU member states during this period, with 26,600 individuals successfully repatriated to other countries. This marks a stark 29% increase when compared to the corresponding period in the previous year. Notably, a substantial 76% of these deportations involved individuals being sent outside the boundaries of the European Union, as outlined in Eurostat’s findings.

A closer look at the demographic breakdown of deportations reveals that Georgians constituted the largest group at 9%, followed closely by Albanians at 8%. Moldovans and Turks each accounted for 5%, while Indians comprised 4% of the total deportations, based on available data.

Germany, grappling with substantial waves of immigration, took the lead in deportations during the quarter, with 3,805 non-EU citizens being returned to other countries. France followed closely with 3,005 deportations, and Sweden recorded 2,690 individuals sent back, according to Eurostat’s report.

In addition to the surge in deportations, the European Union achieved a noteworthy milestone on the same day. The EU reached an agreement regarding the management of irregular immigration during periods of exceptionally high arrivals. This development marks a significant step toward reforming the EU’s asylum and migration regulations, signaling a coordinated effort to address the complex challenges posed by immigration across the continent.

As the European Union continues to grapple with unprecedented immigration flows, these developments underscore the need for comprehensive and effective policies to manage migration while upholding the principles of humanitarianism and international law. The surge in deportations and the agreement on immigration management reflect the EU’s commitment to finding sustainable solutions to this pressing issue.

Article by Prague Forum