Latin America Could Stall Trade Talks Over Immigration Law
Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift: The EU wants equal treatment for illegals throughout the bloc

A new EU law that calls for the swift deportation of illegal immigrants has been loudly criticized by Latin America, which has threatened to halt trade talks as a result.

In an effort to have illegal immigrants treated equally across the bloc, the European Parliament has passed a controversial deportation law. Now, some Latin American countries, especially those with many immigrants in Europe, are protesting the measures.

Millions of Latin Americans live in Europe, many from poor Andean countries and war-weary Colombia.

The EU Returns Directive regulates the deportation of illegal immigrants to their country of origin. Under the law, an illegal immigrant will have two options: either "return" home or face "removal."

The directive also allows clandestine migrants to be detained for up to 18 months, and face a five-year travel ban after being deported.

Denouncing the 'Hate Directive'

Rhetoric has been flying since the regulation came under discussion in early June. But it reached new heights on Saturday, June 21, when Ecuador's President Rafael Correa warned that trade talks between the EU and the Andean Community could be suspended if the 27 member bloc pushes ahead with the new law.

"What do we have to talk about with a union of countries that criminalizes immigrants?" Reuters news agency quoted him as telling a radio broadcast. "It will be very hard to talk business and ignore human rights."

Correa, whose nation currently holds the Andean Community of Nations' rotating presidency, referred to the new law as the “hate directive.â€