In the second quarter of 2024, France deported the most migrants out of the European Union, with over 3,000 individuals being sent back to their home countries. However, the total number of migrants ordered to leave the EU is much higher, with over 25,000 individuals being issued deportation orders. Despite the decrease in the number of migrants ordered to leave compared to the previous year, a significant gap remains between those who receive an order to leave and those who are actually repatriated. According to Eurostat data, out of 96,115 non-EU citizens ordered to leave between May and August 2024, only about a third actually left the bloc.
The largest number of repatriations in the EU in the second quarter of 2024 were carried out by France, followed by Germany and Sweden. France also issued the highest number of repatriation orders, followed by Germany and Greece. Algerians and Moroccans were the largest nationalities who received orders to leave the EU during this period, followed by Turks and Syrians. However, in terms of those who actually left the EU, the largest nationalities were Georgians, Albanians, and Turkish individuals. Thousands of migrants are stuck in bureaucratic limbo, with reasons for suspension of removal orders including health issues, inability to identify the country of origin, human trafficking victimhood, and unaccompanied minors.
The discrepancy between repatriation orders and actual repatriations can be attributed to various factors, including differing procedures and challenges faced by authorities in implementing removal orders. Sergio Carrera, a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for European Policy Studies, explains that the EU repatriation directive does not harmonize these procedures, leading to variability in how different regions and countries handle repatriation cases. This lack of transparency and accountability makes it difficult to accurately track and ensure the legality of repatriation procedures. To address this issue, the EU is funding a project called “More” which aims to critically examine the EU and UK’s Returns and Readmissions policies to ensure compliance with fundamental rights.
Through the “More” project, the EU seeks to evaluate the effectiveness of current returns policies in terms of upholding fundamental rights. Carrera emphasizes the need for a comprehensive approach to repatriations that takes into account the diverse circumstances and challenges faced by migrants. It is essential to ensure that repatriation procedures are carried out in a legal and fair manner, taking into consideration the rights and well-being of individuals being deported. The project aims to address the lack of transparency and accountability in repatriation processes and promote a more consistent and rights-based approach to returns policy within the EU and UK.
