The concept of ‘return sponsorships’ is central to the European Commission’s New Pact on Migration and Asylum, and its ambition to deliver a “fresh start on migration”. Enabling a system of mandatory yet flexible solidarity, the concept is designed to overcome the opposing viewpoints that have long marked political discussions over responsibility-sharing within Europe. This article critically considers whether return sponsorships can work in practice. It identifies three challenges. First, the proposal’s envisioned solidarity measures lack predictability and tangibility. Second, return sponsorships will create new vulnerabilities for those issued return orders. Third, the mechanism is informed by the improbable assumption that more conditionalities vis-à-vis third countries will substantially increase the EU’s return rate. Overall, the Commission is taking a considerable risk. The return sponsorship concept will likely prolong the polarised discussions among Member States and provide only modest support to countries at the EU’s external border.

“回国担保”的概念是欧盟委员会移民和庇护新公约及其实现“移民新起点”的雄心的核心。该概念旨在建立一个强制但灵活的团结系统，以克服长期以来在欧洲内部就责任分担进行政治讨论的对立观点。本文批判性地考虑了回报赞助是否可以在实践中发挥作用。它确定了三个挑战。首先，该提案设想的团结措施缺乏可预测性和切实性。其次，退货赞助将为那些已发出的退货订单带来新的漏洞。第三，该机制的依据是一个不太可能的假设，即针对第三国的更多条件将大大提高欧盟的回报率。全面的，委员会冒着相当大的风险。回归赞助的概念可能会延长成员国之间的两极分化讨论，并且只会为欧盟外部边界的国家提供适度的支持。