illegal immigration
Return Hubs – Brussels Attempts Damage Control Over Migrant Crisis
From Armstrong Economics 
By Martin Armstrong
The European Union is beginning to change its stance on its open border policy. Over 1.14 million sought asylum in the EU last year, a completely unsustainable population spike. European Union Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has faced harsh criticism from member states throughout the bloc who are calling upon Brussels to address the situation. Von der Leyen has now expressed interest in creating “return hubs” to house and deport migrants whose applications are denied.
I reported that Italy saw a 64% reduction in illegal migration under President Giorgia Meloni, who promised to curb immigration once elected. Instead of building shelters to house migrants with taxpayer funds, Meloni sought to build detention centers. Centri di Permanenza per il Rimpatrio (CPRs) or Repatriation Centers were extremely controversial but effective. Thousands of migrants were detained and deported if their application for asylum was denied. Word traveled that conditions in these centers were less desirable, making Italy less desirable for would-be intruders.
Ursula von der Leyen supported Meloni once she realized migrants were spilling into the rest of the bloc from Italy and has pointed to Meloni’s “out of the box thinking” to stop the inflow of newcomers. Specifically, the European Commission president stated that the Italy-Albania protocol proved effective whereby both nations signed a treaty that permitted Italy to send asylum seekers found in international waters back to Albania where they are then held in detention centers. “We should also continue to explore possible ways forward as regards the idea of developing return hubs outside the EU, especially in view of a new legislative proposal on return,” von der Leyen writes. “With the start of operations of the Italy-Albania protocol, we will also be able to draw lessons from this experience in practice.”
Now, 17 members of the EU sent a document to Brussels earlier in the month demanding border reform. “People without the right to stay must be held accountable. A new legal basis must clearly define their obligations and duties,” the members said. “Non-cooperation must have consequences and be sanctioned.” Suddenly, leaders of European nations realized that they were beneath Brussels in terms of power and had lost the ability to secure their own borders.
The 17 member nations are demanding that Brussels implements rules to detain and deport migrants who could be a threat to national security. Furthermore, they want to non-EU nations to accept their own citizens back once they are deported. As with everything, money rules all and these nations are willing to use trade and monetary gifts or aid as leverage, as Italy did with numerous African nations under the Mattei Plan.
Countless EU nations are attempting to control their borders, and in doing so, Brussels is relinquishing its power. Poland even attempted to announce a temporary suspension of asylum seekers the same week that Ursula voiced concern over the migrant crisis. The forced cohesion of the European Union is coming undone.
Quick Hit:
The Irish government will now pay migrant families up to €10,000 if they agree to abandon asylum claims and leave the country. Officials say the program is cheaper for taxpayers than drawn-out asylum cases or costly deportations.
Key Details:
- Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan signed an order raising the “voluntary return” payout to €2,500 per individual and €10,000 per family.
- The policy targets those with questionable asylum claims who are awaiting judgment and have no criminal record.
- Ireland’s move follows similar programs in Sweden and Germany, which have seen some success in reducing asylum applications and voluntary departures.
Diving Deeper:
The Republic of Ireland is escalating its efforts to manage a surge in migration, offering financial incentives for migrants to leave. Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan has authorized an increase in the voluntary return grant, raising payments to €2,500 ($2,900) for individuals and €10,000 ($11,700) for families who withdraw their asylum applications and exit the country.
This nearly doubles the previous allowances of €1,500 per individual and €6,000 per family. The scheme is aimed specifically at those awaiting decisions on asylum claims, provided they have not committed crimes while residing in Ireland.
The government has argued that the payouts, while sizable, will ultimately reduce the financial strain on Irish taxpayers. According to the Department of Justice, each asylum seeker costs the state about €122,000 ($143,000) over the course of the process, covering housing, food, and various social benefits. In contrast, even large lump-sum payments are expected to be cheaper than long-term state support—or deportation flights, such as a recent €325,000 ($381,000) operation to repatriate 35 migrants to Nigeria.
Ireland’s plan is not without precedent. Sweden currently offers €5,000 ($5,900) to those who voluntarily return home, and its government is considering expanding payouts up to €30,000 ($35,000) for welfare-dependent migrants. Germany has also reported success, with more than 8,000 failed asylum seekers leaving voluntarily under its incentive program last year.
The Irish government’s decision comes amid mounting pressure over migration. Since 2006, Ireland’s migrant population has doubled to more than one million, meaning one in five residents is foreign-born. The rapid demographic shift has fueled tensions, with rising concerns over crime, wage stagnation, and social cohesion.
From LifeSiteNews
An ‘anti-ICE’ message was written on one of the rounds discovered near the shooter’s body, according to an image posted by FBI Director Kash Patel.
Just two weeks after the assassination of Charlie Kirk by a sniper’s bullet, one person was shot dead Wednesday morning by a “possible sniper” outside a Dallas ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) facility. At least two others were injured.
The shooter, who had positioned himself on a nearby rooftop, died by a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
According to early reports, none of the killed or injured are ICE agents.
FBI Director Kash Patel posted to X an image of rounds allegedly found by the shooter’s body, one of which included an “anti-ICE” message.
This morning just before 7am local time, an individual fired multiple rounds at a Dallas, Texas ICE facility, killing one, wounding several others, before taking his own life. FBI, DHS, ATF are on the ground with Dallas PD and state authorities.
While the investigation is… pic.twitter.com/SMOyxiKLqA
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) September 24, 2025
“This is the third shooting in Texas directed at ICE or CBP [Border Patrol]. This must stop,” said Sen. Ted Cruz.
“To every politician who is using rhetoric demonizing ICE and demonizing CBP – stop. To every politician demanding that ICE agents be doxxed and calling for people to go after their families – stop. This has very real consequences.”
Vice President JD Vance said, “The obsessive attack on law enforcement, particularly ICE, must stop. I’m praying for everyone hurt in this attack and for their families.”
The obsessive attack on law enforcement, particularly ICE, must stop. I'm praying for everyone hurt in this attack and for their families. https://t.co/wEN3sqyGyQ
— JD Vance (@JDVance) September 24, 2025
This is the second attack in recent months on an ICE facility in Texas.
On July 4, a police officer was shot in the neck at the Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado, southwest of Dallas. Eleven people have been charged in connection with that attack.
On August 25, a 36-year-old man was arrested for making a bomb threat against the Dallas ICE facility where Wednesday morning’s shooting took place.
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