Brussels’ hardline deportation draft risks turning schools and hospitals into immigration traps, coalition of 75 NGOs warns.

A formidable coalition of over 70 human rights organizations has issued a blistering condemnation of the European Union’s proposed deportation strategy, warning that the bloc is sleepwalking into a draconian era of "ICE-style" enforcement. The joint statement, released Monday, argues that the European Commission’s draft regulations will fundamentally alter the social fabric of the continent, transforming everyday spaces into zones of surveillance and fear for undocumented migrants.

The proposal, unveiled last March and now gaining traction amid a rightward shift in the European Parliament, aims to streamline the return of individuals without legal status. However, critics argue the methods proposed—including expanded powers for police to search private homes without judicial warrants—cross a dangerous red line.

The Spectre of Racial Profiling

“The plans would consolidate a punitive system, fuelled by far-right rhetoric and based on racialised suspicion,” the joint statement reads. The signatory organizations, which include leading migrant rights groups from across the EU, fear that the policy will normalize racial profiling. If police are empowered to conduct raids on "relevant premises" based on broad criteria, ethnic minorities—regardless of their legal status—could face constant harassment and interrogation.

The comparison to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency is deliberate and chilling. Michele LeVoy of the Platform for International Cooperation on Undocumented Migrants noted, “We cannot be outraged by ICE in the United States while also supporting these practices in Europe.” The fear is that Europe is importing a model of enforcement that relies on shock-and-awe tactics: dawn raids, workplace sweeps, and the weaponization of data sharing between public services.

Public Services as Border Guards

Perhaps the most insidious aspect of the proposal is the potential requirement for public service providers to report undocumented users. This could effectively bar millions of people from accessing essential healthcare, education, and social support out of fear of deportation. A sick child might go untreated, or a crime witness might remain silent, simply to avoid the radar of the state.

The European Commission defends the measures as "effective and modern procedures" necessary to uphold the integrity of the asylum system. With only one in five rejected asylum seekers currently being returned, Brussels is under immense political pressure to show results. Yet, as the debate intensifies, the human cost of this efficiency drive is becoming starkly visible. Europe stands at a crossroads: between its professed values of human dignity and a hardened, securitized future.