Frontex set for new powers to deport beyond EU borders in latest overhaul

Brussels is set to unveil a significant overhaul of the EU border agency Frontex on October 27, transforming it into a dedicated "European return agency," according to EU officials. This legislative proposal aims to revamp the agency's mandate, focusing on three key areas: strengthening deportations, improving crisis response, and boosting operational capacity without hiring border guards from countries.

Central to the reform is the ambition to give Frontex a more prominent role in returning individuals without legal status in the EU, including new powers to conduct return operations beyond the bloc's territory. The push comes after EU lawmakers approved a new "return regulation" for accelerating deportations and allowing member countries to establish controversial deportation hubs outside the EU.

Political pressure has mounted, with 19 EU leaders urging the Commission to support return hubs outside the bloc, funded by EU resources, as reported by POLITICO. The proposed Frontex overhaul would provide the agency with more resources, greater operational flexibility, and an expanded role in carrying out returns to third countries.

Additionally, the Commission wants to transform Frontex into a force capable of intervening in border emergencies within 24 hours, addressing lessons learned from previous crises. The agency would be given a stronger mandate to monitor potential flashpoints and improve early warning capabilities, ensuring a swift response to crises through personnel and equipment deployment on short notice.

Staffing questions remain, with the agency currently having around 7,800 personnel and aiming for a target of 10,000 by 2027. The Commission's proposal is expected to seek a compromise between expansion ambitions and practical constraints. The reform may also spark debates over the agency's accountability and the human rights of migrants and asylum-seekers, particularly as the EU moves towards more deportations to third countries.