EU proposes giving Frontex border agency new major powers

The European Commission on Tuesday unveiled a new proposal to beef up the powers of the EU border agency in order to empower it to support the return of irregular migrants. The proposed legislation gives the agency, called Frontex, more resources to act beyond EU territory. The plan would give the agency the power to support non-EU countries to return migrants to their countries of origin. The proposal comes as EU member states increasingly focus on returns, saying too many people who are asked to leave the bloc remain. The new role for Frontex comes after the humanitarian crisis in Ceuta this summer.