European Parliament approves EU migrant return overhaul amid chaotic chants

The European Parliament chanted “send them back” after MPs approved a sweeping overhaul of the European Union’s migrant return system; It was the latest sign that Europe is moving towards stricter immigration enforcement after years of growing anger and frustration from voters.

Members of the European Parliament on Wednesday approved by 418 votes to 218, with 30 abstentions, the Return Directive, a measure designed to speed up the deportation of third-country nationals staying illegally in the European Union.

The moment quickly turned explosive. After the vote was announced, right-wing lawmakers stood, applauded and chanted “send them back,” according to video of the meeting. MPs on the left responded by chanting “shame on you” slogans.

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The legislation still needs to be formally approved by the Council of the European Union and published in the Official Gazette before entering into force; But the conflict has highlighted how sharply divided Europe remains on immigration, even as the bloc’s institutions continue to implement policies once seen as politically taboo.

The new rules will allow member states to detain some migrants for up to 24 months, with the possibility of a six-month extension, and will create a framework for “return centres” in third countries outside the European Union willing to accept migrants with return orders.

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Migrants enter the water near Gravelines, France, as smugglers with their faces covered man the scene before boarding a small boat at sunrise on July 2, 2025. (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

Supporters say the rules are necessary because European Union countries have difficulty enforcing deportation orders. The European Group of Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), citing the European Commission, said that only 20 percent of immigrants who decided to return actually returned.

The vote follows Fox News Digital’s report in early June that the European Union was moving towards stricter border and asylum rules amid growing concerns about illegal immigration across the continent. New measures include stricter screening, identity and security checks, and the use of biometric data such as fingerprints and facial recognition.

Members of the European Parliament are seen during a session on June 17, where chants of “send them home” were heard during a vote on new EU immigration rules. (European Parliament broadcasting service)

Conservative leaders hailed the Parliament vote as a victory. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described the result as a “great success” and described the law as a “historic measure”. Publish on X.

Other right-wing figures in France and Austria hailed the moment as evidence that pressure from the right was reshaping European Union policy.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni addresses the 78th United Nations General Assembly at UN headquarters in New York City on September 20, 2023. (LEONARDO MUNOZ/AFP via Getty Images)

But critics accused lawmakers of dehumanizing immigrants and weakening basic protections.

The Guardian reported that Javi López, the socialist vice-president of the European Parliament, called the plenary session “shameful”, while Italian Greens and European Parliament Left Alliance Member Ilaria Salis described the celebration as “terrible”.

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Migrants become trapped in the bail water of a small inflatable boat while trying to cross the English Channel near the Dover Strait off the coast of Dover, England, on September 7, 2020. More than 400 migrants journeyed by sea from France to Britain last Wednesday, either being stopped by UK border forces or reaching shore in small boats. (Luke Dray/Getty Images)

Human rights groups were also alarmed.

According to Reuters, United Nations human rights chief Volker Turk warned that the new rules risked extending detention periods, creating overseas repatriation centers and weakening safeguards against forced repatriations.