EU proposes Frontex deportation role, 17,000 reserve

The European Commission proposed giving the EU border agency Frontex a central role in arranging deportations and creating a 17,000-strong reserve of officers for deployment when needed.

The plans, presented Tuesday, are intended to strengthen the bloc's response to irregular migration. They would give Frontex a bigger role in the expulsion of people with no right to stay in the EU.

Under the proposal, Frontex's standing corps would about triple to 30,000. That figure includes 17,000 officers who would remain available to member states as national border guards and be deployed through a new European border and return reserve when needed.

The Commission also proposed a return coordination centre to help EU countries plan and coordinate expulsions. Brussels said Frontex would help member states carry out return operations and provide reintegration assistance.

The plan also envisages a quick reaction force and an online monitoring centre to scan social media, following a deadly migrant rush to the Spanish territory of Ceuta in July.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Europe would protect its borders and decide who enters the union and under what circumstances. The reform plan follows other EU measures aimed at irregular migration as public opinion has hardened and far-right parties have gained ground across Europe.