The European Union wants to triple the number of border guards and give them more powers to return migrants The European Commission has proposed to significantly expand the powers of the Frontex border and coast guard agency. The Frontex standing force is to reach 10,000 by 2027 and grow to 30,000 by 2041, according to a proposal presented on October 27. The agency will become the EU's main operational body for returning migrants. "We ourselves must decide who can enter the European Union, who can stay and who should leave the European Union," said European Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner. The new powers will allow Frontex to help send migrants back not only from the EU, but also from other countries - for example, a transit country. Now, out of 100 people ordered to leave the EU, only 32-33 actually return. The European Commission proposes to create a rapid reaction force within Frontex, which, at the request of any EU country, will be able to reach its border within 24 hours. When preparing the reform, they took into account the experience of the migration crisis in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta this summer. The new rules may affect citizens of any non-EU country, including Russians and Belarusians, if they do not have a legal right to remain in the EU. The reform does not apply to holders of residence permits or other legal status, as well as to Ukrainians who benefit from temporary protection. Also, asylum seekers cannot be returned until a decision is made on their application.

The European Union wants to triple the number of border guards and give them more powers to return migrants The European Commission has proposed to significantly expand the powers of the Frontex border and coast guard agency. The Frontex standing force is to reach 10,000 by 2027 and grow to 30,000 by 2041, according to a proposal presented on October 27. The agency will become the EU's main operational body for returning migrants. "We ourselves must decide who can enter the European Union, who can stay and who should leave the European Union," said European Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner. The new powers will allow Frontex to help send migrants back not only from the EU, but also from other countries - for example, a transit country. Now, out of 100 people ordered to leave the EU, only 32-33 actually return. The European Commission proposes to create a rapid reaction force within Frontex, which, at the request of any EU country, will be able to reach its border within 24 hours. When preparing the reform, they took into account the experience of the migration crisis in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta this summer. The new rules may affect citizens of any non-EU country, including Russians and Belarusians, if they do not have a legal right to remain in the EU. The reform does not apply to holders of residence permits or other legal status, as well as to Ukrainians who benefit from temporary protection. Also, asylum seekers cannot be returned until a decision is made on their application.