On 29 March 2024, the Council of Ministers approved a preliminary draft law that will be handed over to the House of Representatives. According to the text, Frontex members would eventually be able to be deployed at airports, seaports, the Brussels South train station and the Eurostar tunnel and would be responsible for border controls.

The preliminary draft law also lays the legal basis for using Frontex employees as escorts to carry out the forced return of foreigners. This would significantly expand the existing pool of escorts of the Federal Police.

In a press release published today, the Secretary of State for Asylum and Migration stressed that the deployment of Frontex employees would be linked to strict operating conditions. For example, Frontex employees would only carry out their assignments under the authority of a member of the Federal Police. They would also be subject to certain terms and conditions that also apply to the members of the integrated police.

For further information, please read the conclusions from the Council of Ministers of 29 March 2024 (in French or Dutch) and the press release from the Secretary of State for Asylum and Migration from 29 March (in Dutch).