In order to combat the abuse of visa-free travel throughout Europe, the European Commission has suggested improving its visa suspension policies. The revised regulations would offer the European Union (EU) more latitude to temporarily suspend its visa-free travel policies, particularly if it feels that the actions of other nations could lead to a rise in the number of migrants entering the EU.

Vice-President of the European Commission Margaritis Schinas underlined the significant benefits of the EU’s visa-free travel policy, but he also underlined the necessity of preventing its misuse and making sure the EU can take the required measures. The European Union (EU) is worried that some of the sixty nations that do not require a visa to join the EU could be used as transit hubs by undocumented immigrants trying to enter the 27-nation bloc.

EU home affairs commissioner Ylva Johansson noted that around 150,000 asylum claims from nationals of nations exempt from visa requirements were filed in the preceding year, indicating a significant and improper use of visa-free travel.

This declaration is made at a time when the EU is dealing with a sharp increase in unauthorized immigration, especially in Mediterranean nations like Greece and Italy. The EU executive also unveiled a “action plan” to tackle the growing influx of undocumented migrants via the Eastern Mediterranean route. The strategy aims to improve border control and collaborate with countries of origin and transit.

The redesigned visa suspension regulations also seek to thwart third-country “investor citizenship” schemes that circumvent EU visa regulations. Under these initiatives, people who could be a security danger to the European Union can purchase passports or citizenship for comparatively little money.

The significance of expeditiously repatriating undocumented migrants deemed a “security risk” to their transit or origin countries was underscored by Commissioners Schinas and Johansson. Their remarks were made soon after a terrorist act in Brussels that claimed the lives of two Swedish citizens and involved Abdelsalem L., who had been living in Belgium irregularly and was told to return home.

They emphasized the need to step up efforts to help people return home and that the European Union’s migration and asylum policies are not complete without a meaningful returns culture. Even if people are still fleeing persecution, prejudice, and conflict, those without a legitimate basis to be protected by the EU shouldn’t be allowed to remain in Europe.