Commission proposes immigration rapid reaction force

The European Commission has proposed setting up a rapid reaction team of up to 300 experts from member states ready to be deployed within ten days when an EU state is faced with a sudden immigration influx.

The Justice, Freedom and Security Commissioner, Franco Frattini said the team, whose members would wear EU armbands, would help countries identify immigrants, carry out risk assessments, administer first aid and provide translators.

The Commission also proposed harmonising the procedures for issuing and rejecting visas to the EU and making the process more transparent. An assessment of the impact of illegal immigration on the EU is to be carried out in the autumn ahead of a proposal on sanctions for EU companies which employ illegal workers.

The European Commission has proposed setting up a rapid reaction team of up to 300 experts from member states ready to be deployed within ten days when an EU state is faced with a sudden immigration influx.