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EU immigration policy

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

European Union Emergency Trust Fund for Africa 12 November 2015, 17:33 CET
The European Commission launched on 12 November with other EU Member States and other European donors the EU's Emergency Trust Fund for stability and addressing root causes of irregular migration and displaced persons in Africa.

EU help for refugees 19 June 2015, 15:58 CET
Asylum is granted to people fleeing persecution or serious harm in their own country and therefore in need of international protection. Asylum is a fundamental right; granting it is an international obligation, first recognised in the 1951 Geneva Convention on the protection of refugees . In the EU, an area of open borders and freedom of movement, countries share the same fundamental values and States need to have a joint approach to guarantee high standards of protection for refugees. Procedures must at the same time be fair and effective throughout the EU and impervious to abuse. With this in mind, the EU States have committed to establishing a Common European Asylum System.

European Agenda on Migration - first measures 27 May 2015, 14:12 CET
The European Commission adopted on 27 May the first proposals of its comprehensive approach to improving the management of migration. Following the terrible loss of life in the Mediterranean last month, European leaders made a firm commitment to solidarity amongst Member States to address the common migratory challenges. In these first proposals, the Commission sets out immediate and long-term responses to the migration challenges that Europe faces.

European Agenda on Migration 13 May 2015, 15:12 CET
The European Commission presented on 13 May a European Agenda on Migration outlining the immediate measures that will be taken in order to respond to the crisis situation in the Mediterranean as well as the steps to be taken in the coming years to better manage migration in all its aspects.

EU cooperation with Africa on migration 22 April 2015, 17:21 CET
The College of European Commission welcomed to Brussels on 22 April the College of the African Union Commission for their annual meeting. The meeting was to give fresh impetus in the relationship between the two strategic partners. Migration was a key topic in the light of the recent migrant disasters in the Mediterranean.

Smuggling of Migrants in Europe 04 March 2015, 23:35 CET
The European Commission launched on 4 March work on a comprehensive European Agenda on Migration. The College of Commissioners held a first orientation debate on key actions to step up the EU's efforts to implement the existing tools and cooperation in managing migration flows from third countries. Below is a fact sheet on the Smuggling of Migrants in Europe and the EU's response.

European Migration Policy 04 March 2015, 15:52 CET
For almost twenty years, the European Union has been building the foundations of an overarching and comprehensive migration policy. This memo offers an overview of European actions in this area, which also underscores the need for a comprehensive European Agenda on Migration.

Frontex Operation Triton 31 October 2014, 18:51 CET
Frontex has finalised all preparations for the launch of Joint Operation Triton on November 1st 2014. With a monthly budget of EUR 2,9 million the agency will coordinate the deployment of three open sea patrol vessels, two coastal patrol vessels, two coastal patrol boats, two aircraft, and one helicopter in the Central Mediterranean. The operational area of Triton will cover the territorial waters of Italy as well as parts of the search and rescue (SAR) zones of the both countries. Frontex will operate under the command of the Italian Ministry of Interior, in cooperation with Guardia di Finanza, as well as the Italian Coast Guard.

Turkey: Readmission Agreement and Visa Liberalisation Dialogue 16 December 2013, 11:25 CET
Cecilia Malmström, the EU's Commissioner for Home Affairs has signed, with the Turkish Minister of Interior Muammer Güler, the EU-Turkey readmission agreement, and initiated, jointly with the Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Ahmet Davutoglu, the EU-Turkey Visa liberalisation dialogue.

EU action in the fields of migration and asylum 04 December 2013, 23:08 CET
The European Union is developing a broad range of policies and instruments to manage the increasing challenge of migration, security of external borders and asylum. It does so in full respect with human rights and fundamental values. EU action complements the competencies and action of Member States who in many cases (such as in the area of residence permits, asylum decisions, reception of refugees, external border management etc.) retain exclusive competences. This memo provides an overview of current activities.

Lampedusa follow-up: concrete actions to prevent loss of life in the Mediterranean and better address migratory and asylum flows 04 December 2013, 22:58 CET
The European Commission today proposed ways to increase solidarity and mutual support in order to prevent migrants' death in the Mediterranean, in a follow-up to the tragedy in Lampedusa, one of the many Europe has witnessed in recent years, which prompted an unprecedented call for action by EU leaders and citizens.

European Border Surveillance System (EUROSUR) 04 December 2013, 00:12 CET
The European Border Surveillance System (EUROSUR) became operational on 2 December 2013. It is hoped EUROSUR will make an important contribution to saving lives of those who put themselves in danger to reach Europe's shores. It is designed to equip the EU and its Member States with better tools to prevent cross-border crimes, such as trafficking in human beings or trafficking in drugs, while at the same time detect and provide assistance to small migrant boats in distress, in full compliance with European and international obligations, including the principle of non-refoulement.

Free movement of people: five actions to benefit citizens, growth and employment in the EU 25 November 2013, 23:23 CET
A European Commission policy paper outlines five concrete actions to strengthen the right to free movement, while helping EU Member States to reap the positive benefits it brings. The policy paper clarifies citizens' rights to free movement and access to social benefits, and addresses the concerns raised by some Member States in relation to the challenges that migration flows can represent for local authorities.

Roma people living in the EU - guide 25 August 2010, 20:50 CET
There are between 10 million and 12 million Roma in the European Union, in candidate countries and potential candidate countries in the Western Balkans. Roma people living in the EU are EU citizens and have the same rights as any other EU citizen. A significant number of Roma live in extreme marginalisation in both rural and urban areas and in very poor social-economic conditions. They are disproportionally affected by discrimination, violence, unemployment, poverty, bad housing and poor health standards.

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.

Migrants at sea: MEPs lay guidelines for EU border patrols 26 March 2010, 10:26 CET
Today, MEPs voted with absolute majority in favour of non-binding EU guidelines saying that border patrols have a moral duty to rescue migrant in distress at sea.

Frontex and managing the EU's borders - briefing 24 February 2010, 15:11 CET
The Commission has made proposals to strengthen the European Union's border management agency, Frontex. The proposals include reinforcing the legal framework to ensure full respect of fundamental rights during Frontex activities and enhancing the operational capacity of Frontex to support Member States. With the new proposal Member States would put more equipment and more personnel at the Agency's disposal. Frontex would be able to co-lead border patrols operations with EU Member States. It would also be allowed to provide technical assistance to third countries and deploy liaison officers in third countries.

External Borders Fund (2007-2013) 03 February 2010, 17:54 CET
As part of the general programme “Solidarity and management of migration flows”, Decision No 574/2007/EC establishes the External Borders Fund (EBF) for the period 2007-13 with resources totalling €1820 million.

Second generation Schengen Information System (SIS II) - 1st pillar regulation 21 December 2009, 20:17 CET
The SIS II Regulation lays down the technical aspects and the operation of the second generation Schengen Information System (SIS II), the conditions for issuing alerts on refusal of entry or stay for non-EU nationals, the processing of data relating to the alerts, and conditions of data access and protection. It constitutes the legislative basis for governing SIS II with respect to matters falling under Title IV of the EC Treaty (first pillar).

Schengen: legal instruments governing migration from SIS1+ to SIS II 21 December 2009, 20:17 CET
The legal instruments governing migration from SIS 1+ to SIS II lay down the tasks and responsibilities of the European Commission and the Member States for preparing this migration, including further development and testing of SIS II.

Policy Coherence for Development 02 October 2009, 22:28 CET
When exploring ways to accelerate progress towards achieving Millennium Development Goals (MDG), the European Union (EU) considers how non-aid policies can assist developing countries in attaining the MDGs. The EU activity in this field is not only a key political commitment in the context of the MDGs, but also has a firm legal basis in the Treaty establishing the European Community (Article 178).

Common European Asylum System - briefing 03 December 2008, 23:39 CET
The European Commission has adopted proposals to amend three of the existing legislative instruments of the Common European Asylum System: the Directive on reception conditions for asylum-seekers; the Dublin Regulation which determines the Member State responsible for an asylum application; and the Eurodac Regulation, a data base containing the fingerprints of asylum seekers, which supports the operation of the Dublin Regulation. These amendments are the first concrete proposals presented by the Commission to implement the Policy Plan on Asylum and the Pact on Immigration and Asylum. Their aim is to ensure that all asylum-seekers are treated in a fair and equal way wherever they make their request for asylum in the EU, and to enhance the efficiency of the EU asylum system.

Policy Plan on Asylum - guide 17 June 2008, 18:58 CET
The European Commission has adopted a Communication on "A Common immigration policy for Europe: principles, actions and tools" and a Policy Plan "Asylum – an integrated approach to protection across the EU". The Communication puts forward ten Common Principles on which to base the common immigration policy, grouped under the three main strands of EU policy: prosperity, solidarity and security. The Policy Plan on Asylum provides for the architecture of the second phase of the Common European Asylum System (CEAS). Both address the remaining elements on immigration and asylum of The Hague Programme. They should be endorsed by the European Council of 15 October 2008 and will, in the course of 2009, feed into a new five-year EU Programme in the Justice, Freedom and Security area.

The EU common immigration policy - guide 17 June 2008, 18:54 CET
The European Commission has adopted a Communication on "A Common immigration policy for Europe: principles, actions and tools" and a Policy Plan "Asylum – an integrated approach to protection across the EU". The Communication puts forward ten Common Principles on which to base the common immigration policy, grouped under the three main strands of EU policy: prosperity, solidarity and security. The Policy Plan on Asylum provides for the architecture of the second phase of the Common European Asylum System (CEAS). Both address the remaining elements on immigration and asylum of The Hague Programme. They should be endorsed by the European Council of 15 October 2008 and will, in the course of 2009, feed into a new five-year Programme in the Justice, Freedom and Security area.

Sanctions against employers of illegally staying third-country nationals 16 May 2007, 13:49 CET
The European Commission on 16 May 2007 presented a proposal for an EU Directive to tackle the pull factor for illegal immigrants created by employers providing illegal work. The Directive on sanctions against such employers is part of a comprehensive European Migration policy which supports legal migration, fights illegal migration, builds cooperation with Third Countries and works with the development agenda. Two Communications on the external dimension of migration were also published on the same day.

INTI - Integration of third country nationals 07 May 2007, 22:46 CET
INTI is a European Union funding programme for preparatory actions promoting the integration in the EU member states of people who are not citizens of the EU. Its aim is also to promote dialogue with civil society, develop integration models, seek out and evaluate best practices in the integration field and set up networks at European level.