Greece Endorses Plan for Return Hubs in Third Countries to Strengthen European Migration Policy

What changed

The South African Border Management Authority (BMA) is setting up a new Vehicle Targeting System (VTS) at border crossings. This is to make border security better and to stop vehicles being smuggled. This digital change means officers will no longer do random manual checks. Instead, they will use information to decide which vehicles to inspect. The system, which is a partnership with the International Vehicle Identification Desk, will start operating on 18 October 2026 at the Lebombo Port of Entry. This will change how vehicles are processed at South Africa's borders.

What changed

The European Commission adopted a new Strategy on combating trafficking in human beings on 16 October 2026. This extensive strategy, which applies across the European Union, aims to deal with new types of human trafficking, especially those that use technology and are connected to migration. It introduces six main areas of focus, designed to improve how trafficking is prevented, detected, investigated, and how victims are protected, building on existing laws. This initiative intends to provide a stronger and more adaptable response to human trafficking, which often crosses borders.

What changed

The United States Department of Justice proposes amending its Privacy Act regulations to exempt records within the Executive Office for Immigration Review's new "Fraud and Abuse Prevention Program Records" system from specific provisions of the Privacy Act. This proposed rule, published on 15 October 2026, aims to safeguard law enforcement sensitive materials, including information on complainants, witnesses, and subjects of investigations related to immigration fraud and abuse. Public comments on this proposal are invited until 16 November 2026, and its implementation would impact individuals' rights to access and amend certain records concerning them held within this system.

What changed

The U.S. Departments of Homeland Security and Justice have finalised a rule to simplify how civil penalties are worked out under the Immigration and Nationality Act for certain immigration violations. This rule started on 14 October 2026. It builds on a temporary rule that began on 27 June 2025. It mainly affects people who do not leave after they were given a voluntary departure period, those who deliberately do not leave after a final order to remove them, or people caught trying to enter the country unlawfully. A key change now allows a late appeal to be accepted if there are documented mail delivery delays that ICE determines were beyond the individual's control. This measure aims to make sure immigration orders are followed and to improve border security.