EU immigration policy

Towards a common European immigration policy - latest news about Immigration Policy in the European Union.

Police say smash Balkans human trafficking ring — 12 December 2012, 17:17 CET

Croatia, Bosnia and Slovenia have arrested 45 people suspected of belonging to a Balkans human trafficking ring smuggling European Union-bound immigrants, police said Wednesday.

Exasperated EU moves towards reintroducing Balkan visas — 06 December 2012, 11:10 CET

Exasperated EU states have made progress in moves to allow some members such as Germany to reintroduce visas for Balkan EU candidate nations so as to curb soaring unfounded asylum requests.

Germany sees jump in immigration from euro crisis states — 15 November 2012, 13:35 CET

Immigration to Germany soared 15 percent in the first half of the year, thanks to an influx of people from European countries hit hard by the eurozone crisis, official figures showed Thursday.

Balkans nations vow to fight illegal migration — 06 November 2012, 00:01 CET

Western Balkans countries will step up efforts to prevent their citizens frommaking unfounded asylum requests and abusing visa-free entry to the European Union, officials said Monday.

Spain dismantles human trafficking ring — 31 October 2012, 20:23 CET

Spanish police said on Wednesday they had smashed a human trafficking ring in Barcelona, arresting 18 people suspected of smuggling around 1,000 Pakistanis every year into the European Union.

Serbia taking 'all measures' to halt unfounded asylum requests: minister — 26 October 2012, 15:53 CET

Serbia is working to stop its citizens making unfounded requests for asylum in the EU, Foreign Minister Ivan Mrkic said Friday, after key EU states pressed for visas to be reintroduced to curb soaring demands from the Balkans.

Germany, Sweden push for Balkan visas — 25 October 2012, 17:56 CET

Key EU states led by Germany and Sweden are pressing for the reintroduction of visas for people coming from Balkan EU candidate states so as to curb soaring unfounded asylum requests.

France, Germany want EU help on Balkans asylum seekers — 25 October 2012, 12:26 CET

France and Germany want the European Union to take steps to stop the tide of asylum seekers from Serbia and Macedonia, their interior ministers said in interviews published Thursday.

EU states want visas reintroduced for Balkan countries — 15 October 2012, 19:26 CET

Germany and five other EU states want the European Commission to allow the reintroduction of visas for people coming from the Balkans so as to curb soaring asylum requests, the European Commission said Monday.

EU Parliament bids to alleviate asylum pressures — 19 September 2012, 19:27 CET

Euro-MPs on Wednesday insisted that new legislation dealing with immigrants' rights of asylum include special provisions to ease pressure on countries overwhelmed by an influx of migrants, such as Greece.

Romania turmoil triggers cancellation of EU talks — 18 September 2012, 17:28 CET

Concern over Romania's political turmoil helped trigger the cancellation of EU talks this week aimed at assessing the country's bid to join the Schengen visa-free area.

Sharp drop in boat migrants to Italy — 12 September 2012, 18:51 CET

Italy has seen a drastic reduction in the number of immigrants washing up on its shores, in part thanks to a deal with North African countries to prevent boat departures, the government said Wednesday.

Amnesty International condemns Italy over Roma — 12 September 2012, 18:52 CET

Amnesty International on Wednesday called on Prime Minister Mario Monti's government to reform laws and policies affecting the Roma community in Italy, saying they fail to respect human rights.

EU keeping close watch on French Roma expulsions — 10 August 2012, 23:33 CET

The Commission is keeping a close eye on a new French purge on Roma camps to ensure expulsions are not arbitrary and discriminatory, a spokeswoman said on Friday.

UN rapporteur urges EU and Turkey to respect migrant rights — 29 June 2012, 16:42 CET

A UN official urged both the European Union and Ankara Friday to respect the rights of illegal immigrants sent back to Turkey from the EU under an accord signed last week.

EU, Turkey strike key deal to combat illegal migration — 21 June 2012, 22:13 CET

Turkey and the European Union initialled a "readmission" deal to combat illegal migration across the Turkish border Thursday, a day after Brussels agreed to ease visa requirements for Turkish citizens.

MEPs block draft laws to protest Schengen reform — 15 June 2012, 12:02 CET

The European Parliament has blocked talks with EU Member States on five draft laws to protest being stripped of a say in the running of the visa-free Schengen area.

MEPs threaten legal action against EU over immigration — 12 June 2012, 19:24 CET

The European Parliament headed for collision with EU governments Tuesday, threatening legal action against the bloc for being stripped of powers over the running of the passport-free Schengen area.

EU ready to restore border checks to keep migrants out — 08 June 2012, 11:12 CET

EU Member States in a landmark move have agreed to enable countries to temporarily restore border checks in the visa-free Schengen area in the case of a surge of illegal migrants.

EU rights charter equal to constitution: Austrian court — 04 May 2012, 13:32 CET

Austrian legal decisions will be considered anti-constitutional from now on if they violate European fundamental rights and not just the country's basic law, the constitutional court ruled Friday.

EU rebukes Britain over freedom of movement laws — 26 April 2012, 14:00 CET

The European Commission gave Britain an ultimatum Thursday to respect the freedom of movement of EU citizens, threatening court action should it fail to abide by EU laws within two months.

Sarkozy wants EU partners to toughen border controls — 24 April 2012, 11:37 CET

French President Nicolas Sarkozy, chasing far-right voters in a troubled re-election bid, will press EU partners Thursday to make it easier to recall border guards in Europe's visa-free travel area.

Romania wants EU summit on the rise of far right — 14 March 2012, 17:17 CET

Romanian Prime Minister Mihai Razvan Ungureanu called Wednesday for an extraordinary EU summit to answer the rising influence of far-right and anti-European parties in Europe.

Commission acts to bolster citizens' protection and security — 22 April 2010, 17:11 CET

The European Commission today presented concrete actions – with set timetables – to boost citizens' ability to work, travel and study outside their home countries, thereby enhancing citizens' security.