Europol: EP approves stronger mandate to counter migrant-smuggling

New European Centre Against Migrant Smuggling

Enhanced coordination between Europol, Eurojust and Frontex

Support for member states to conduct joint criminal investigations

Parliament gave its final approval to a new law on enhancing Europol’s mandate and resources in the fight against migrant smuggling and human trafficking.

On Tuesday, the European Parliament voted 556-74 (7 abstentions) to approve a law permanently establishing a European Centre Against Migrant Smuggling (ECAMS) within Europol. To solidify the Centre (which already exists as an informal structure), Europol will receive an additional budget of € 50 million in 2025–2027 and 50 additional staff members.

ECAMS will increase strategic, operational and technical support to EU countries as they work to dismantle criminal networks active in migrant smuggling and human trafficking. In line with Europol’s role as the EU criminal information hub, ECAMS will bring together Europol, Eurojust and Frontex staff to ensure effective agency coordination. It will also support the identification of victims of trafficking and other vulnerable individuals, in cooperation with the EU anti-trafficking coordinator.

Operational task forces and deployments in EU countries

Coordination and information exchange will improve under the new law. When EU countries set up operational task forces to investigate high-risk criminal networks and groups, they will relay relevant information to Europol and each other via SIENA, the EU secure communications channel for law enforcement. Immigration liaison officers posted in third countries by EU member states will also support investigations by sharing with Europol information concerning migrant smuggling and trafficking in human beings.

To provide analytical, operational, technical and forensic support for complex and large-scale investigations, Europol will be able to deploy staff to EU countries, at their request. Its mandate will also be extended to violations of EU sanctions.

Biometric data

With the law, Europol will be able to support EU countries by more effectively processing biometric data including fingerprints and facial data (for example, to detect multiple or false identities). Biometric data satisfy minimum quality standards, and its processing must comply with existing EU data protection rules, occur only when necessary and be proportionate. Europol and member state authorities are also encouraged to cooperate on tackling criminal offences committed via social media platforms.

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After the vote, rapporteur Jeroen Lenaers (EPP, Netherlands) said: “With this law, we send a message: smugglers and human traffickers, who exploit vulnerable people as a business opportunity, will no longer operate without impunity in the EU. We formally establish the Centre against migrant-smuggling to coordinate and improve the sharing of intelligence and data, ensure that Europol's mandate also covers the online world, and give the agency the means to fulfil their new tasks with 50 new posts. This law will lay the groundwork for a broader update to Europol's mandate next year.”

Next steps

The agreement still needs to be formally adopted by the Council. Once published in the EU official journal, it will enter into force 20 days later.