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Far-right German MEP questions Commission over Return Hubs // Frontex touts its ‘added value’ at annual event in Warsaw // Europol announces launch of new migrant smuggling department

Far-right German MEP questions Commission over Return Hubs

German MEP Mary Khan, AfD and ESN group, has written to ask the Commission for clarity on the state of return hubs negotiations. Noting that Uganda is reportedly on the short-list, Khan expresses concern that countries so geographically distant are too logistically difficult to act as return hubs, urging instead the Commission prioritise countries in North Africa. She also asks for further details on the Commission’s role in return hubs planning, seeks assurances that return hubs will be run ‘efficiently’ and enquires over the state of talks with Uganda. (It was previously understood that the Netherlands in particular was in talks with Uganda, though this has potentially stalled since the election of a new Prime Minister).

Another MEP, Romanian Ștefan Mușoiu with the Social Democratic Party and S&D group, has also written to the Commission to ask what preparations are being made to deal with a potential increase in ‘migratory pressure’ as a result of the current conflict in the Middle East.

Frontex touts its ‘added value’ at annual event in Warsaw

On 26 March Frontex hosted “more than 100 operational planners” from the EU and abroad, for the 2026 Annual Operations Planning Event. The event, aside from showcasing Frontex plans to hold joint operations with each member state every year, appears to have been an opportunity for Frontex to sell its ‘added value’ to member states ahead of the expected mandate overhaul later in the year:

“Key strategic goals also included strengthening the Standing Corps and creating a Quick Reaction Force that would provide both Frontex and EU Member States with the operational flexibility needed to face border challenges wherever and whenever they arise”

This, in light of some member states’ apparent reluctance to have Frontex officers be more active on their territories, suggests the agency is keen to sell itself a bigger role ahead of the review. The agency also reported a 52% drop in irregular border crossings in the first 2 months of 2026.

Europol announces launch of new migrant smuggling department

On 24 March Europol announced it had created a new “European Centre Against Migrant Smuggling” which it says will be at “the centre of Europe’s response” to irregular migration. The new department apparently builds on the pre-existing “European Migrant Smuggling Centre” by integrating more member state data into its systems. Home Affairs Commissioner Brunner said the new department will strengthen cross-border cooperation, “across the EU and beyond”.