BRUSSELS — The European Union introduced a sweeping new sanctions plan on Thursday designed to crack down on migrant smuggling networks, human trafficking, and organized criminal activity. If approved, the measures would allow authorities to freeze the assets and restrict the travel of those found responsible.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen outlined the goal behind the effort, saying, “We all have a common goal. To drive them out of business. And to save the lives of thousands of people who dream of a better life.”
She added, “We in Europe must be the ones to decide who comes to us and in what circumstances.”
Before the sanctions framework can take effect, it must receive unanimous support from the European Council — a requirement that could prove challenging given ongoing disagreements among member nations over immigration policy.
The proposal arrives at a time of heated debate across the EU over how to handle migration. Just last month, the European Parliament passed a broad overhaul of migration rules aimed at speeding up deportations and allowing for the creation of offshore detention facilities. That legislation has sparked pushback from countries including France and Spain, where critics contend the measures are too severe and could weaken protections for asylum seekers.
