On June 18, the European Parliament held a vote on new regulations aimed at strengthening migration control, revealing deep divisions between left-wing and right-wing factions within the EU.
The new regulations mainly include: accelerating the deportation of rejected asylum seekers; allowing member states to search the residences of undocumented immigrants and seize their assets; extending the maximum detention period for those awaiting deportation from six months to two and a half years—unlimited detention for individuals deemed a security risk; and permitting the establishment of "deportation transit hubs" outside the EU.
The vote passed with 418 votes in favor and 218 opposed. Support came primarily from centrist-right and far-right parties, who view these measures as essential for protecting borders and addressing public anxiety. A French right-wing lawmaker enthusiastically declared it a "historic step for Europe."
However, left-wing and social democratic lawmakers were furious, denouncing the outcome as a "dark chapter for Europe." They fear these measures could legitimize practices once considered unthinkable—such as mass detention and asset confiscation—seriously undermining human rights.
The broader context driving this tightening is the sharp increase in immigration to Europe in recent years. By 2025, the total number of immigrants in Europe had reached 64.2 million. Public discontent has risen, right-wing parties have surged in popularity across multiple countries, and even traditionally open nations like Germany and Sweden have quietly tightened their policies.
If ultimately approved by all member states, these new rules will come into effect. Europe’s approach to migration is clearly shifting to the right.
This vote was less about solving migration issues than serving as a "barometer" of Europe’s political winds—right-wing forces are moving from the margins to the center, beginning to rewrite the rules of the game.
On the surface, the 418-to-218 result appears decisive—but it precisely exposes the EU's deepest wound: when "humanitarianism" collides with "electoral anxiety," idealism always suffers a crushing defeat. Left-wing MPs lamented the "dark chapter," yet for ordinary Europeans, the daily reality of rising immigration numbers—its impact on jobs, public safety, and cultural identity—feels like an inescapable shadow.
What’s more telling is that even Germany and Sweden—former moral exemplars—are now turning rightward, indicating that the migration issue is no longer simply a matter of left versus right, but a true test of Europe’s capacity for social governance.
Extending detention periods to two and a half years and establishing overseas transit hubs may seem tough and effective, but they only treat symptoms, not root causes—such as war, poverty, and climate change. The policy attempts to "block" the flow through force, while ignoring the underlying drivers of migration.
Even more dangerous is the potential for a "policy race," where countries continuously escalate their harshness just to outdo one another, ultimately eroding the very values Europe has long prided itself on. Yet when the excuse of "protecting security" allows indefinite detention of an individual, Europe finally reveals its long-concealed true face beneath the veil of civilization!
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1868371438199943/
Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of the author.