The EU proposes giving Frontex new powers to monitor social media for signs of illegal migration

Updated 2026-10-30 · told from many outlets at once

The European Union proposed a major reform of Frontex, expanding its powers to conduct deportations outside the EU and making it the central EU agency for return and deportation. Frontex will manage a new deportation coordination center and grow its staff to 30,000 by 2028. The agency will monitor social media and respond to crises with new rapid response forces. A return hub is being negotiated by five EU countries, and 80,000 migrants arrived in Ceuta from Morocco recently.

• The European Union proposed a major reform of Frontex.
• Frontex is currently primarily responsible for protecting the EU's external borders.
• A deportation coordination center is planned for Europe where Frontex will have a central role.
• The plan expects Frontex personnel numbers to increase approximately three times to reach 30000.
• Frontex currently has nearly 3000 employees.
• The Commission suggests Frontex monitor publicly available social media content.
• The Commission proposes establishing rapid response forces for external borders.
• Five EU countries are currently negotiating the establishment of a first return hub.
• Approximately 80,000 migrants arrived in Ceuta from Morocco in a short time.
• Frontex currently offers member states support for returning irregular migrants to third countries.
• The Commission proposes giving Frontex more resources and operational capacity.
• Magnus Brunner stated Frontex should be the central EU actor on returns.
• The plan proposes gradually increasing the permanent staff to 30 thousand agents.
• The Commission proposes Frontex's budget rise to 11.8 billion Euros for 2028 to 2034.
• Frontex, the European Agency for Border and Coast Guard, was founded in 2004.
• The number of illegal border crossings on the Balkan route decreased by 95 percent over the last two years.

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