an Eldis Resource
New immigration policy in Europe
Addressing the roots of immigration is better than making a fortress out of Europe
Authors:
A. Bolesta
Publisher:
Transformation, Integration and Globalization Economic Research, Poland, 2004
What are the new immigration and asylum policies in Europe like? What instruments are used by the European Union (EU) in connection with the migration movements? Is there a “Fortress Europe” being erected that will be an efficient barrier against the influx of refugees?
The author observes that European countries have been taking radical measures aimed at preventing unwelcome immigrants from entering. The institutional, legal and even physical barriers have the intention of stopping flows of political and economic migrants who try to make their way to the imaginary dreamland of a welfare state. All these regulations carry the label of “New Policy”, and the continent itself has been called “Fortress Europe”. At the same time states of the EU are consolidating their powers in creating a common unified immigration policy.
The paper analyses both the “new policy” and the process of unification of immigration regulations in the EU. It goes back in time showing the emergence of immigration policy regimes and attempts to explore the overlooked “tackling of root causes”.
The study discusses:
- the history of European immigration and asylum policies
- migration as a threat to Europe - tackling the root causes
- harmonization and unification of the EU policy on asylum and immigration
- new policy on asylum and immigration – towards “Fortress Europe”
The author claims that harmonising and unifying policy on immigration and asylum within the EU as well as restricting national policy targeted at potential refugees are clear signs that the rulers of western Europe fear waves of foreigners who might be coming to their countries in search of higher standards of living, and more accessible development opportunities.
Based on his observations and the discussion of the immigration problem, the author concludes that although an attractive tool to temporarily satisfy western societies, building “Fortress Europe” is not a permanent solution, and the only way to solve the problem is by addressing its root causes. Namely, he suggests that without a long-term policy of development and assistance together with supporting democracy and human rights one can hardly expect the flow of migrants to dry out.
Summary originally provided by GDNet, an Eldis content partner
