The European Union is adopting the Trump administration’s playbook when it comes to approach to irregular migrants, according to migrant advocacy groups.

The EU is expanding its powers to track, arrest and deport migrants to areas referred to as ‘return hubs’ in third countries in Africa and elsewhere, the groups say.

The advocacy groups have publicly criticised the EU for quietly adopting tactics of the Trump administration.

The 27-nation bloc has been tightening migration policies after right-wing parties took power in several of these countries in 2024.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, from the centre-right European People’s Party coalition, has said that the new measures will prevent a repeat of the 2015 crisis caused by Syria’s civil war, when about one million people arrived to seek asylum.

“We have learnt the lessons of the past. And today, we are better equipped,” Ms von der Leyen said of the new policies, known as the Pact on Migration and Asylum, which comes into effect on June 12.

Right-wing parties in Europe have hailed the deportation efforts of the Trump administration and have urged the EU to follow suit.

Human rights groups warn that authorities are already illegally pushing back migrants at EU borders and hollowing out their legal protections.

Already, Italy has created a similar regime. Through her ‘tough on migrants’ stance’ Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni operates two migrant detention centres for rejected asylum-seekers in Albania. Currently one centre holds around 90 migrants.

The Italian government has also approved an anti-immigration package that would allow the navy to halt vessels in international waters for up to six months if they are deemed a threat to public order.

It would also allow the return intercepted migrants to countries of origin or third countries; and speed up the deportation of foreign nationals convicted of crimes.

A group of EU nations including Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Denmark and Greece are looking to establish deportation centre agreements with other counties and regions.

The group is reportedly talking to Kenya about such a deal.

Sweden’s ruling conservative coalition is reportedly considering setting up hubs outside Europe, especially for Afghan and Syrian asylum-seekers.

During the Winter Olympics in Italy, protests erupted over the deployment of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to provide security to the US team.

But other groups in Europe have praised ICE’s actions and called for setting up deportation-focused police units.

In 2024, Belgium passed a law allowing the EU border service Frontex operations inside the country, stoking fears among advocates that Frontex could join in on raids.

Meanwhile, the European Commission has declined requests to take a position on US federal immigration policies.

Britain’s centre-left Labour Party government has recently made curbing unauthorised immigration a key focus.

Human rights advocate and researcher Dr Ian Tingle said the EU’s dalliance with Trumpian migration policies was slippery slope.

“The EU needs to be very careful in copying what has happened under the Trump administration which has produced a litany of human rights violations and the deaths of innocent civilian onlookers,” he said.