French MEP François-Xavier Bellamy recently secured adoption of tougher EU rules on returns of rejected asylum seekers. He states there is no contradiction between this policy and his Catholic convictions.
In an interview with La Croix published on 13 June 2026, Bellamy explains that current migration disorder primarily benefits smuggling networks. He stresses that resolving the situation is a humanitarian priority.
The text he championed allows detention of up to twenty-four months and return hubs outside the European Union. Bellamy clarifies these measures target irregular foreigners, not eligible asylum seekers.
Asked about Pope Francis’s positions, the MEP shares the view that migrants should not be seen as enemies. He adds however that Christian charity presupposes the existence of a door and a home in order to welcome.
