MEPs vote to overhaul the European travel document to ease bureaucratic burdens on the return of irregular migrants.

Returning migrants staying illegally in Europe

A new legislative process launched by  the EP's Civil Liberties Committee

aims to further the return  of irregular migrants.

Those with an unsuccessful asylum claim  plus all others illegally residing in the EU,

by creating a European travel document  recognised by third countries.

Figures suggest that only 40% of decisions  to return refugees are enforced annually.

It goes without saying that this is  detrimental to the credibility and legitimacy

of the EU asylum and migration policies  in the eyes of our citizens.

It also encourages the abuse  of the asylum system.

Under plans, travel documents  would contain a standardised photo

and would be translated into the relevant  EU and third country of origin languages.

we send back only those who are not  entitled to international protection.

we are sending back people  that are using the asylum system

MEPs vote on the draft report this week  with the hope that an EU travel document

could provide some respite  to an overly bureaucratic asylum system