The European Parliament voted 418 to 218 on June 17 to pass a controversial migration law that raises deportation measures across the EU [1, 2]. Right-wing Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) celebrated the outcome by chanting "send them back" immediately after the vote, while left-wing MEPs responded with chants of "shame on you" during the same session [1, 2].
The new law allows undocumented migrants to be detained for up to two years or transferred to offshore detention centers, which critics have described as potential "human rights black holes" [1]. The legislation has drawn sharp criticism from rights organizations such as Amnesty International France and UN experts, who warn it could violate international human rights standards [1].
The vote followed the 2024 European Parliament elections, which brought a record number of far-right representatives into the chamber. Socialist MEP Javi López called the session "disgraceful," condemning the law's approach to migrants. "As if people were parcels. Families. Minors. Deported to third countries. This is the Europe they are imposing," he said [1].
MEPs from multiple left and center-left groups denounced the far-right chants, calling the moment "shameful and hateful." Manus Carlisle, communication manager for the Left group, described the episode as "a dark moment that is likely to go down in EU history" [1]. French Renew MEP Laurence Farreng said, "The far right is screaming its hatred," while Italian Green and Left Alliance MEP Ilaria Salis condemned the celebration of deportations as "human depravity" [1].
With the law now approved, the EU is set to implement its provisions on migrant detention and deportation in the coming months, raising concerns over the treatment of undocumented individuals and the EU’s migration policies [1, 2].
