Patriots Drive Breakthrough on Stricter EU Return Policy
Strasbourg, 09/03/2026 - Europe is one step closer to finally enforcing the return of illegal migrants. After years of ineffective policies and false promises surrounding the Migration Pact, the Patriots have secured a stable right-wing majority in the European Parliament for a stricter return policy.
After intense negotiations with EPP, ECR and ESN, the Patriots have left a clear mark on the alternative compromises. As the third-largest group in the Parliament, we were instrumental in pushing the EPP toward common sense and securing a significantly stronger approach that will lead to a tougher legislative package on returns. The deal addresses many of the weaknesses in the current framework, which shows how the Patriots are able to shift the Parliament’s left-wing agenda. The result strengthens both the Commission’s proposal and the Council’s position in almost all key aspects. Crucially, the proposal gives Member States back control and broadens the possibility to introduce additional measures in their national legislation to ensure effective returns.
What has been achieved today represents the most serious attempt in decades to make Europe’s return policy effective. If it had been solely up to us, we would have pushed for even stricter measures on several key points. However, given the current political balance in the European Parliament, this package represents the strongest and most realistic deal that can be achieved today to finally restart returns, which have been ineffective for almost a decade due to the outdated and weak Return Directive.
“The Patriots have taken the concerns of our citizens seriously, and we are delivering on this crucial issue, ” said Marieke Ehlers (PVV, NL), lead negotiator on behalf of the Patriots. “The overhaul of the Return Directive has long been overdue, ” she continued, “and thanks to the determination of the Patriots and the coalition they built, Europe is now closer to implementing a return policy that is still far from perfect, but a step in the right direction to help address the migration challenges we face. ”
Fabrice Leggeri (RN, FR), LIBE coordinator of the Patriots, added: “This is another political milestone with a clear message: the Patriots are delivering what they promised to voters. We are using our political weight to push for the strictest EU rules to fight illegal migration.