European Nations Call for Greater Authority to Deport Criminal Illegal Immigrants

Denmark, along with eight other European nations, issued a strong statement on Sunday criticizing the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) for restricting member states’ authority to deport illegal immigrants. The move comes as Denmark prepares to assume the presidency of the European Union in July—a time when migration policies remain at the top of the continental agenda.

In a published letter, leaders from Denmark, Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Italy, and Poland urged the ECHR to grant EU countries greater flexibility in expelling migrants who have committed crimes. According to the signatories, the current legal framework makes it difficult for national governments to take decisive action against individuals they describe as failing to integrate into society or engaging in criminal behavior.

"Many have come here via legal pathways. They have learned our languages, believe in democracy, contribute to our societies and have decided to integrate themselves into our culture," the leaders wrote. "Others have come and chosen not to integrate, isolating themselves in parallel societies and distancing themselves from our fundamental values of equality, democracy and freedom. In particular, some have not contributed positively to the societies welcoming them and have chosen to commit crimes."

The letter continued: "It is beyond our comprehension how some people can come to our countries and get a share in our freedom and our vast range of opportunities, and, indeed, decide to commit crimes."

The group specifically challenged the ECHR’s interpretation of the European Convention on Human Rights, claiming that recent rulings have constrained elected governments’ ability to make independent decisions on immigration and deportation. The signatories highlighted several high-profile cases where court judgments have prevented the removal of individuals found guilty of violent offenses or drug-related crimes.

Among their proposals, the letter calls for:

• More autonomy for individual states to deport migrants convicted of serious crimes;
• Greater capacity for European governments to track the activities and movements of illegal immigrants; and
• More effective tools to counter what they describe as the instrumentalization of migration by hostile states.

This letter arrives just two weeks after the United Kingdom’s Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, unveiled a plan to tighten immigration rules amid surging public frustration over high migration levels. British officials are set to restrict skilled visas to those holding graduate-level positions, while lower-skilled visas will be limited to critical sectors only. Additionally, employers in the care industry will no longer be permitted to sponsor overseas workers for visas, compelling companies to invest more in training domestic staff.

Starmer emphasized a tougher approach in an upcoming speech, stating, "Every area of the immigration system, including work, family and study, will be tightened up so we have more control. Enforcement will be tougher than ever and migration numbers will fall. We will create a system that is controlled, selective and fair."

The renewed push for stricter migration controls reflects a broader trend across Europe, as leaderships react to both mounting voter dissatisfaction and recent legal challenges. While advocates argue these steps are necessary for maintaining public trust and social cohesion, critics warn that weakening human rights protections could have far-reaching consequences for migrants and refugees seeking protection on the continent.

Reporting contributed by Landon Mion.