The European Commission is preparing to introduce extensive changes to the Frontex border agency, granting it new powers to carry out deportation operations beyond the borders of the European Union. These changes are set to be approved on October 27, with the aim of transforming Frontex into a "European Return Agency."
Frontex's New Role in Deportations
This legal proposal addresses the changing responsibilities of the Warsaw-based agency and focuses on three key areas: strengthening Frontex's role in deportations, improving its ability to anticipate and respond to border crises, and increasing its operational capacity without the need to recruit personnel from member states.
These reforms particularly emphasize Frontex's increased role in returning individuals who do not have a legal right to remain in the European Union. With these changes, the agency will be able to conduct return operations beyond the territory of the European Union, raising concerns about human rights and the conditions of migrants and asylum seekers.
Response to Border Crises
The Commission is also looking to transform Frontex into a force that can intervene in border emergencies within 24 hours. This goal is part of the lessons learned from the migration crisis in Ceuta, which highlighted Europe's weaknesses in anticipating and responding to sudden pressures at external borders.
According to plans, Frontex will be required to closely monitor crisis-prone areas and improve early warning capabilities. The agency must also respond quickly to crises and rapidly deploy the necessary personnel and equipment, rather than relying on existing arrangements with national governments.
Another key question is how large Frontex should become. The agency had approximately 7,800 personnel at the beginning of 2026 and aims to reach a target of 10,000 by 2027. The Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, had previously called for this number to be increased to 30,000 European border and coast guard personnel.
The Commission's proposal is expected to achieve a compromise between various tendencies for expansion and the practical limitations faced by national governments. Instead of relying entirely on a larger permanent force, Brussels is considering a large reserve that can be called upon in times of need.
This approach allows Frontex to increase its deployable capacity while retaining more personnel for national duties.
Given that these changes imply an increase in deportation activities, discussions regarding the accountability of this agency and the human rights of migrants and asylum seekers are expected to resurface.
Frontex has yet to respond to media requests for comment.
