19 EU countries call on EU to fund 'return hubs'

"After the European Union significantly tightened its immigration policy earlier this month, 19 EU countries on Wednesday urged the European Commission to finance "return hubs" outside the bloc for failed asylum-seekers. Interior ministers from the 27-member bloc greenlighted a package of measures on December 8 that include the opening of return hubs and harsher penalities for migrants who refuse to leave European territory."

"READ ALSO: European countries agree to set up migrant 'return hubs' outside EU "Specifically, the EU countries want ... the Commission to help ensure, going forward, that the financing of, among other things, return centres can be done using EU funds," the Danish immigration ministry said in a statement, with the signed letter sent to the Commission attached. The European Parliament must still vote on the measures."

Nineteen EU countries asked the European Commission to finance return hubs outside the bloc to handle failed asylum-seekers. Interior ministers approved a December 8 package that includes opening return hubs and imposing tougher penalties on migrants who refuse to leave. The request names specific countries supporting the change and asks the Commission to enable use of EU funds for return centres. The European Parliament still needs to vote on the measures. Denmark has driven proposals to process asylum applications outside Europe and to cooperate with third countries, and the group supporting such solutions has grown.

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