European Commission proposes new migration response measures

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has sent a formal letter to the leaders of the 27 European Union member states proposing stricter measures to combat irregular migration. The initiative, sent on October 13, 2026, ahead of the European Council summit scheduled for October 15-16 in Brussels, focuses on enhancing the role of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) and improving the efficiency of return procedures for individuals denied asylum.

A key element of the proposal is the creation of a new emergency response framework designed to tackle the instrumentalization of migration, where external actors or states use migratory flows as a political tool. This framework, previously mentioned in the State of the Union address, aims to provide additional flexibility in border management and asylum processes when current rules prove insufficient to handle sudden, mass arrivals that threaten public order. The Commission plans to formally introduce this framework toward the end of 2026 to ensure the union can effectively protect its external borders.

These proposals follow ongoing concerns regarding the use of migration as a form of pressure against the bloc. The Commission emphasizes that the EU will not compromise on the security of its borders and must maintain the capacity to react to threats that undermine the stability of its member states.