Facial scan should make repatriation of illegal immigrants easier

In order to be able to identify illegal migrants more easily, the European Parliament wants to make structural improvements in the operation of Eurodac. This database already contains names, ID card numbers and fingerprints of asylum seekers. “Now it will be possible to store facial scans as well,” says MEP Helga Stevens, who supports this new step towards an effective European border policy. “We must keep Europe’s external borders closed to potential terrorists.”

“Asylum shopping, which is when asylum seekers request asylum from the Member State with the best socio-economic benefits, becomes a whole lot more difficult as a result,” Helga Stevens explains. “In addition, the legislation is intended to ensure more effective submission of return documentation. This will help Europe crank up efforts to repatriate economic fortune hunters, who are not entitled to assistance here, to their region of origin.”

Age reduction for fingerprints

The reduction of the age at which fingerprints can be taken of children, from the current 14 years of age to 6, also satisfies Helga Stevens: “In this way we can find their family more easily with a view to finally reuniting them. At home is where they belong, not in the hands of merciless people traffickers. I shudder at the thought that children are ending up in prostitution networks because they were sent out on their own by their parents or have lost their families.”

Europol also to receive direct access to data

The European police organisation, Europol, must also get direct access to Eurodac. “Europol monitors returning Syrian fighters, among others. For this reason it is vital that Europol has access to all useful data so that it can immediately enable the Member States concerned to find and arrest such terrorists. But it will also be possible for other criminals to be tracked down more easily,” Helga Stevens concludes.