• The Expert Council on Integration and Migration in Germany has raised concerns about the new EU regulation facilitating deportations, warning against jeopardizing the principles of the rule of law and fundamental rights.
• EU member states have agreed on a regulation establishing legal frameworks for return hubs outside the bloc, where individuals required to leave the EU can be taken, regardless of their connection to the country.
• Rejected asylum seekers who do not cooperate with their deportation may face detention, reduced benefits, or confiscation of travel documents across Europe, with the permitted duration of detention under the new rules extended to a maximum of 24 months.

Germany's Expert Council on Integration and Migration (SVR) on Friday expressed severe reservations about the new EU regulation aimed at facilitating deportations.

The independent body warned against "returns at any cost" and said "the principles of the rule of law and fundamental rights are being jeopardized and undermined."

On Monday, the EU member states agreed on a regulation that establishes a legal framework for so-called return hubs in countries outside the bloc.

People required to leave the EU who cannot be deported to their countries of origin are to be taken to these facilities. A connection between the individuals concerned and the country is no longer a prerequisite – unlike in earlier proposals for the hub system.

The political agreement, which still requires formal approval by the European Parliament and the Council of the EU, stipulates that rejected asylum seekers must cooperate with their own deportation if they do not wish to be detained.

They also face the risk, across Europe, of having their maintenance benefits reduced or withdrawn, or of having their travel documents confiscated.

Furthermore, detention pending deportation is possible if the competent authorities in the member states consider there to be a risk of absconding or a threat to national security.

Under the new rules, the permitted duration of detention will be extended. According to sources close to the negotiations, this will be to a maximum of 24 months, with a possible extension of a further six months in exceptional cases.