The European Parliament erupted into chants of «send them back» after lawmakers approved a sweeping overhaul of the European Union’s migrant return system, marking the latest sign that Europe is moving toward tougher immigration enforcement after years of growing anger and frustration from voters.

Members of the European Parliament voted on Wednesday 418 to 218, with 30 abstentions, to approve the Return Regulation, a measure designed to speed up the removal of third-country nationals who are staying illegally in the European Union.  

The moment quickly turned explosive. After the vote was announced, right-wing lawmakers stood, applauded and chanted «send them back,» according to a video of the meeting. Lawmakers on the left responded by chanting «shame on you.»

‘YOU’RE DESTROYING YOUR COUNTRIES’: IS EUROPE FINALLY HEEDING TRUMP’S WARNING ON ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION?

The legislation still requires formal approval by the Council of the European Union and publication in the Official Journal before it enters into force, but the confrontation underscored how sharply divided Europe remains over migration, even as the bloc’s institutions move ahead with policies once seen as politically taboo. 

The new rules would allow member states to detain some migrants for up to 24 months, with a possible six-month extension, and create a framework for «return hubs» outside the European Union in third countries willing to receive migrants with return decisions.

‘YOU’RE DESTROYING YOUR COUNTRIES’: IS EUROPE FINALLY HEEDING TRUMP’S WARNING ON ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION?

Migrants wade into the water near Gravelines, France, as traffickers with covered faces manage the scene before boarding a small boat at sunrise on July 2, 2025. (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

Supporters say the rules are necessary because European Union countries have struggled to enforce deportation orders. The European Conservatives and Reformists Group (ECR), citing the European Commission, said only around 20% of migrants who receive a return decision are actually returned.

The vote comes after Fox News Digital reported earlier in June that the European Union appeared to be moving toward tougher border and asylum rules amid growing concern over illegal immigration across the continent. The new measures include stricter screening, identity and security checks, and the use of biometric data such as fingerprints and facial recognition.

Members of the European Parliament are seen during a June 17 session in which chants of «send them home» were heard during a vote on new EU migration rules.  (European Parliament streaming service)

Conservative leaders hailed the Parliament vote as a victory. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called the result a «great success,» calling the legislation a «historic measure,» according to her post on X. 

Other right-wing figures in France and Austria praised the moment as evidence that pressure from the right was reshaping European Union policy.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni addresses the 78th United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters in New York City on September 20, 2023. (LEONARDO MUNOZ/AFP via Getty Images)

Critics, however, accused lawmakers of dehumanizing migrants and weakening core protections. 

The Guardian reported that socialist vice president of the European Parliament Javi López called the plenary session «disgraceful,» while Italian Green and Left Alliance Member of the European Parliament Ilaria Salis described the celebration as «horrifying.»

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Migrants packed tightly on a small inflatable boat bail water as they attempt to cross the English Channel near the Dover Strait off the coast of Dover, England, on Sept. 7, 2020. More than 400 migrants made the journey from France to England by sea last Wednesday, either intercepted by UK border forces or arriving on shore in small boats. (Luke Dray/Getty Images)

Human rights groups have also raised alarms. 

United Nations human rights chief Volker Türk warned the new rules risk expanding detention, Reuters reported, creating offshore return hubs and weakening safeguards against forced returns.

President Donald Trump once again mocked Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for allegedly asking him over and over again for a picture at the G7 Summit in France this week, before slamming her for not doing enough to support the U.S. war in Iran.

«Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni asked, over and over, for a picture with me during the G-7 meeting in France,» Trump posted on Truth Social on Saturday morning, reiterating what he told an Italian outlet on Friday.

Meloni told Reuters on Friday that Trump «completely made up» this claim and that she was «astonished.»

«I don’t know why the president of the United States behaves like this towards his allies: it is not the first time, moreover,» she said.

RUBIO MEETS MELONI AS TRUMP-POPE CLASH ESCALATES US STRAINS WITH KEY EUROPEAN ALLY

In his social media post, Trump went on to criticize Meloni for failing to assist the U.S. when the war in Iran was in full swing several months ago.

«She is doing poorly in Italy with her level of popularity, possibly because she turned down the United States of America, a Country that truly loves and protects Italy, when it came to denying Iran from obtaining or developing a Nuclear Weapon (But so did NATO, for that matter!),» he wrote.

Trump added that he was frustrated with Meloni for not letting U.S. forces use Italy’s landing strips and runways, calling it «a great logistical inconvenience.»

Italy denied the use of an air base in Sicily to U.S. warplanes that were carrying weapons that would be used in the campaign against Iran, The Guardian reported in March.

President Donald Trump meets with Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on April 17, 2025.

Italy denied the use of an air base in Sicily to U.S. warplanes that were carrying weapons that would be used in the campaign against Iran, The Guardian reported in March.

Trump routinely criticized other NATO allies in Europe, including the United Kingdom, Germany and France, for failures to provide what he viewed as substantive military support.

Italy’s refusal to help, Trump wrote, is «despite the fact the U.S. contributes hundreds of Billions of Dollars a year to protect Italy, and other ‘so-called’ NATO Allies.»

«Now, after the United States defeated Iran militarily, she wants to be friends again in order to get her ‘numbers up.’ No thanks!!!» Trump concluded his post.

MORE KEY US ALLIES BLOCK MILITARY FLIGHTS AS IRAN WAR RIFT WIDENS WITH TRUMP

Late Saturday morning, Meloni posted a lengthy response to Trump’s post on Instagram, condemning him for his «senseless» and «constant» attacks on her.

«As for my popularity, being your friend certainly has not helped it, nor does it depend on my relationship with you. My popularity depends on my ability to defend Italy’s national interest, and that is exactly what I have always done,» she wrote. «That is also what I did regarding the American military bases in Italy. Their use is governed by agreements that we have always respected, and that cannot be violated as long as I am Prime Minister.»

She continued, «Italy remains a sovereign nation. In any case, my popularity is none of your concern. I suggest you focus on yours.»

Rubio will travel to Italy on Wednesday for meetings with Pope Leo and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. (Maria Grazia Picciarella/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Trump once had strong ties to the Italian head of state, with Meloni being the only European Union leader who got an invite to his inauguration in January 2025, according to NPR. Like Trump, Meloni is a conservative who favors traditional family values and often pushes back against «woke» ideology.

Cracks began to form in their relationship when Trump deployed his worldwide tariffs. Despite Meloni’s attempts to get trade relief for Italy, the U.S. still has a 15% tariff on most EU imports.

In April, when Trump attacked Pope Leo for his foreign policy views on Iran, Meloni issued a rare public rebuke, calling the president’s comments «unacceptable.»

IRAN ‘ALREADY AGREED’ TO GIVING UP NUCLEAR WEAPON AMBITIONS, TRUMP REVEALS

Before the U.S. and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding on Wednesday that halts hostilities for 60 days, Meloni repeatedly insisted Italy would not join the war.

«Italy is not participating and has no intention of participating,» Meloni told the Italian Senate in March.

An Israeli soldier scans the area while taking cover near the Israel-Lebanon border following a Hezbollah drone attack on June 1, 2026. (Jalaa Marey/AFP via Getty Images)

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Still, Meloni has long been critical of Iran’s nuclear ambitions and has suggested restraining the regime through diplomatic means.

«We all agree on the fact that Iran cannot equip itself with a nuclear weapon,» Meloni said at last year’s G7 Summit. «The goal we are all working towards is to have negotiations that will truly prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear power.»

The U.S.-Iran talks that were scheduled for Friday were temporarily postponed amid renewed fighting in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah, an Iran-backed terrorist group. Talks were later set too resume in Switzerland between the U.S. and Iranian delegations after Israel and Hezbollah reached a ceasefire.

One of the key points of the MOU signed by Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian required an end to military operations across all fronts, including in Lebanon, as part of the broader conditions for the agreement to remain in effect.

La segunda temporada de la épica precuela Game of Thrones, titulada House of the Dragon terminó con grandes batallas gestándose por tierra, mar y cielo entre las facciones en guerra de la Casa Targaryen, la familia real de los Siete Reinos de Westeros. Ha comenzado la Danza de los Dragones.

Pero con un reparto de personajes tan extenso, y sus numerosas intrigas, traiciones y alianzas furtivas, puede ser difícil seguirles la pista —y más aún recordarlos después de casi dos años desde que se emitió el último episodio. Antes del estreno de la tercera temporada este domingo, aquí tienes un recordatorio sobre las líneas de batalla y los pactos secretos que se han establecido para el conflicto que se avecina.

Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy) fue proclamada heredera de todo el reino por su padre, Viserys (Paddy Considine). Luchando bajo los tradicionales estandartes negros de la Casa Targaryen, cuenta con el apoyo de su esposo y tío, Daemon (Matt Smith), quien brevemente consideró reclamar el trono él mismo antes de renovar su lealtad a su esposa.

Su principal apoyo es Lord Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint), un famoso explorador y comandante naval conocido como la Serpiente del Mar. Aunque ya perdió a su esposa montadora de dragones, Rhaenys (Eve Best), por la causa de Rhaenyra, su flota, co-capitaneada por su hijo ilegítimo Alyn de Hull (Abubakar Salim), controla el mar.

Rhaenyra, por su parte, domina los cielos, con más de media docena de dragones a su disposición. Las fuerzas de la familia incluyen a Rhaenyra y su dragón, Syrax; su hijo Jacaerys (Harry Collett) y Vermax; Daemon y Caraxes; y la hija de Daemon, Baela (Bethany Antonia) y Moondancer. Su número se ve aumentado por tres descendientes ilegítimos de las antiguas casas valyrias, cada uno emparejado recientemente con su propio dragón: Ulf el Blanco (Tom Bennett) y Silverwing; Hugh Martillo (Kieran Bew) y el enorme Vermithor; y el hermano de Alyn, Addam (Clinton Liberty), y Seasmoke.

Tradición. Ambición. Misoginia. Una profecía confusa sobre la llamada Canción de Hielo y Fuego en los labios de un rey moribundo. Una combinación de factores puso a Aegon II Targaryen (Tom Glynn-Carney) en el Trono de Hierro.

Pero nada fue tan crucial como las maquinaciones de su ambicioso abuelo, Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans), y su equivocada madre, Alicent (Olivia Cooke). Otto solo procuraba el bienestar de su propia casa. Pero Alicent creía sinceramente que Aegon estaba destinado a liderar los Siete Reinos, gracias a una afirmación críptica en el lecho de muerte de su esposo. Desde entonces, ha comprendido que lo entendió mal. (Viserys se refería a su ancestro Aegon el Conquistador).

Aegon llegó al trono, pero su reinado ha sido una serie de desastres. Uno de los primeros fue el asesinato accidental del hijo de Rhaenyra, Lucerys (Elliot Grihault), y su dragón, Arrax, a manos del hermano de Aegon, el tuerto Aemond (Ewan Mitchell), y su enorme dragón, Vhagar. En represalia por la muerte de Luke, Daemon contrató asesinos para eliminar a Aemond. Al no encontrarlo, optaron por matar al hijo muy joven y heredero de Aegon, Jaehaerys (Jude Rock).

Durante la batalla en la que murió Rhaenys, Aegon fue emboscado por el ambicioso Aemond, quien tiene sus propias aspiraciones al trono. Este ataque sorpresa dejó a Aegon terriblemente quemado y mutilado, y a su dragón, Sunfyre, dado por muerto. Con Aegon fuera de combate, Aemond pasó a ser más importante que nunca. Su dragón colosal es más poderoso que cualquier otro en la armada de Rhaenyra.

Sin embargo, la hermana de Aemond, la gentil y psíquica reina Helaena (Phia Saban), se niega a montar a su dragón, Dreamfyre. Su hermano menor, Daeron (quien aún no ha aparecido en pantalla), está lejos, al igual que el dragón de Daeron, Tessarion. Como ningún otro dragón está disponible para defender Desembarco del Rey, Aemond y Vhagar corren el riesgo de ser superados en número.

Aun así, el Equipo Verde cuenta con fuerzas convencionales a su favor. La familia de Alicent, la Casa Hightower, está concentrando un enorme ejército bajo los estandartes verdes que dan su color distintivo al bando de su hijo. (Daeron y Tessarion cabalgan con ellos). La Mano del Rey, Ser Criston Cole (Fabian Frankel), marcha hacia el norte junto al hermano de Alicent, Ser Gwayne Hightower (Freddie Fox), para enfrentar a Daemon en Harrenhal, el castillo embrujado adonde este viajó para tomar control de la estratégica región de las Tierras de los Ríos. Su aliado, Lord Jason Lannister (Jefferson Hall), planea unirse al asalto.

El hermano gemelo de Jason, Tyland (también Jefferson Hall), es el Maestro de Barcos de los Verdes y ha hecho un trato con la Tríarquía, una alianza de ciudades-estado del otro lado del Mar Angosto. Bajo el mando de su almirante, Sharako Lohar (Abigail Thorn), la flota extranjera atacará a su viejo enemigo, la Serpiente del Mar, en nombre de los Verdes.

Alicent ya no cuenta con aliados en el Consejo Verde. Su padre, Otto, ha desaparecido, siendo visto por última vez languideciendo en un calabozo desconocido. Su antiguo amante, Ser Criston, ha sido enviado a luchar contra un jinete de dragón, llevándose consigo a su querido hermano Gwayne. Sus hijos Aemond y Aegon desestiman sus consejos, incluso cuando uno no está ocupado incapacitando al otro. Alicent sabe que su familia —y Desembarco del Rey— no podrían sobrevivir a un ataque de los dragones de Rhaenyra, pero nadie escucha.

Así que la reina viuda viaja en secreto a Rocadragón con una propuesta para Rhaenyra, su amiga de toda la vida: Si Rhaenyra puede garantizar la seguridad de Alicent y Helaena, Alicent enviará lejos a Aemond y Vhagar para que luchen contra Daemon, ordenará a sus fuerzas deponer las armas y permitirá que la Reina Negra tome Desembarco del Rey pacíficamente. Alicent sabe que Rhaenyra se verá obligada a ejecutar a Aegon por traición para asegurar su derecho al Trono de Hierro. En última instancia, “un hijo por un hijo” es un trato que ambas mujeres demuestran estar dispuestas a aceptar.

Alicent no es la única del bando Verde que ve lo que se avecina. Lord Larys Strong (Matthew Needham), su maestre de espías, percibe que la ciudad caerá, junto con la espada del verdugo. Tras animar al rey a acelerar su recuperación, Larys saca a Aegon de la ciudad (destino: Essos) antes de que su hermano Aemond o su media hermana, Rhaenyra, puedan cortarle la cabeza. El derecho de la Reina Negra al Trono de Hierro nunca será seguro mientras Aegon siga desaparecido.

El acuerdo de Alicent y Rhaenyra solo cubre Desembarco del Rey. No tiene en cuenta la flota de la Tríarquía que se dirige a toda vela hacia la marina Velaryon, ni la carnicería que se avecina en las Tierras de los Ríos, donde Daemon espera a los ejércitos Verdes con su propio ejército —y dragón—. Además, no hay forma de saber cómo reaccionará cada bando ante la noticia del acuerdo entre Rhaenyra y Alicent, dada la enemistad entre ambas y la posibilidad de engaños.

También hay otros actores independientes en juego. Lord Larys, también conocido como el Pie Tullido, parece no ser leal a nadie más que a sí mismo. Los motivos de Alys Rivers Negra (Gayle Rankin), la bruja telépata que ha (en cierto modo) hecho amistad con Daemon en Harrenhal, también son inciertos. La otra hija de Daemon, Rhaena (Phoebe Campbell), sale secretamente en busca de vincularse con el dragón salvaje Sheepstealer, lo que podría inclinar la balanza del poder. A excepción del hijo de la Serpiente del Mar, Addam, los nuevos jinetes de dragón son relativamente desconocidos.

Fuente: The New York Times