Human migration and the regulation of borders have become major issues in recent years. The 2015 migrant crisis in Europe, with the arrival of over 1 million asylum seekers and nearly twice that many illegal border crossings, brought about a clash of ideas on how to deal with the situation. Asylum applications topped 1 million again in 2023, ensuring the issue’s relevance in EU and national elections.
Similar attention was drawn to the extensive land border between the United States and Mexico. Longstanding issues with security and oversight were brought to the fore by massive caravans in 2018 and before. After a brief respite due to COVID restrictions in 2020, border apprehensions topped 1.7 million in 2021. They have increased with each passing year according to data from US Customs and Border Protection. 2022 saw nearly 2.4 million and 2023 almost 2.5 million. 2024 has logged 1.7 million as of the end of May.
Nor do these “encounters” as they are called, tell the whole tale. Government has vastly expanded programs allowing migrants to apply for asylum digitally, like the CBP One mobile app. Some schedule appointments at the border, others (with prearranged financial support) can be approved to fly directly into the United States. The goal is to minimize the spectacle at the border, prevent facilities and personnel from being overwhelmed, and lessen the political impact of having the physical situation spiral out of control, a goal that has proved unattainable at times. All of this has made immigration a major concern among voters in this year’s elections.
Particularly alarming is the amount of coordination and support poured into facilitating “irregular migration,” as it is often called. Regular routes are established with the cooperation of NGO’s (non-governmental organizations), non-profits, human traffickers (like the cartels of Central America) and even the United Nations. Those seeking to enter the United States from overseas often begin their journey by traveling to a Central or South American country that does not have Visa requirements.
Those beginning in South America transit the rugged Darien Gap on foot. No roads exist across this treacherous terrain between Columbia and Panama. Gang activity is common and many atrocities occur. Panamanian forces intervene regularly to assist the vulnerable. Ironically, migrants are not technically allowed into Panama. They are registered at camps, provided with documentation, travel resources, and even funds to help complete their journey to the United States but strictly on the condition that they are passing through.
Much of the trip is prearranged. Often it is segmented by country and bus travel is provided. But some portions are less organized than others. There is an unholy union between the radical idealists supporting migration and the overtly criminal gangs who facilitate it. Those with funds can often pay for a safer trip, though many find the price doubled or tripled at critical junctures when they are left with no recourse.
Some, particularly those originating outside of Latin-America, pay for their entire trip in advance. A Reuters report detailed charter flights, often originating in the Middle East, arriving in no-Visa destinations such as El Salvador or Nicaragua. Many on board had paid between $75,000 and $100,000 for a prearranged trip that includes being smuggled into the United States. Flight data indicates nearly 1/3 more arrivals than departures from these countries. Some attempts are thwarted, with whole flights being turned around as authorities intervene. Still, migrants entering the US from countries outside of Latin America approached 200,000 last year with India and West African origins topping the list.
Such factors have seriously colored the debate in the United States and Europe. Fleeing a war-torn chaotic country is viewed differently than migrating to secure economic advantage. While there is some overlap, the imperative to admit anyone and everyone is lessened when life itself is not at stake. “Irregular crossings” and those who eschew the formal asylum process illustrate that economics is often a primary motivating factor, as do those who do not linger to see how the process turns out.
The EU border situation is perhaps even more complex than that of the US. The Canary Islands, controlled by Spain but located off the coast of Western Africa, have recorded the deaths of nearly 5,000 people attempting to reach their shores so far this year. This route into the EU has seen a massive increase in traffic as have other paths across the Mediterranean. Even French Guiana on the Northern coast of South America has witnessed a marked influx.
The United Kingdom, having attempted to extricate itself from the requirements of the EU through Brexit, has tried to take a sterner approach. The conservative government (widely expected to be on its way out before this goes to print) has promoted and campaigned upon a “safe third country” scheme, likely as a deterrent. Many who enter the EU attempt to make their way across the channel into the UK. Those not eligible for asylum now face the prospect of being relocated to Rwanda.
Even the newest EU regulations have sought to appease members worried about an overwhelming or unmanageable influx of migrants by allowing them to provide financial support to those willing to accept the burden rather than care for the migrants themselves. Additional rules have been put in place requiring migrants to apply for asylum in the country they first enter rather than waiting to arrive in their destination of choice. Laws have also been modified the disallow those who transited though other countries deemed “safe,” which often include less-desirable Eastern European or Middle Eastern countries with less generous welfare programs in place and fewer opportunities.
Migration has also been weaponized. Belarus, a staunch Russian ally, has done just that to EU members Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland, all of whom it shares borders with. Long entrenched strongman Lukashenko has loosened Visa requirements. Government sponsored travel agencies advertise discounted trips to Belarus from many Middle Eastern countries, but primarily Iraq. The understanding is that migrants will not be prevented from trying to enter the EU from there, a far safer alternative than many existing routes. Documentation exists of migrants being escorted to the border by Belarusian security forces and even provided with tools to help penetrate fencing. However, many who were repelled and attempted to stay in Belarus reported being forced to try again or otherwise leave the country.
EU countries now log hundreds of attempted entries per day. By comparison, Lithuania only counted around 100 per year previously. This has led to EU countries completely fencing their borders and committing significant resources to monitoring and patrolling them. Still, many migrants gain entry. Finland has faced similar pressure from Russia, leading them to fence their 830 mile border and close all of the official crossings. This in response to asylum seekers from places like Somalia and Yemen increasing tenfold along the Russian border. Schemes involving tourist and student Visas, facilitating travel from the country of origin to Moscow, are readily apparent on social media.
Refugee weaponization is also found in Central and South America. Regimes like Nicolás Maduro’s in Venezuela or Daniel Ortega’s in Nicaragua readily facilitate the process. Staunch communists, already on the outs with the US, really have nothing to lose. Other countries have been pressured into tightening entry protocols or turning around 1-way charter flights full of those who intend to cross the US border illegally.
The pressure migration has put on Europe is clearly visible in both a hardening of policy on the part of idealistically permissive parties as well as the results of recent EU elections. And let’s not forget the additional 4+ million people Europe has absorbed due to the war in Ukraine. Idealism is being overshadowed by necessity, much like the reality check the public has experienced over green issues. Economics lead many to fear for the future of generous social safety nets as they confront not only this but, rampant inflation, confrontation with Russia and competition from China.
Added to that is the reality that many who migrate do not necessarily assimilate. There is a real concern that culture hangs in the balance. We cannot fault those who wish to preserve their own traditions as we wish to maintain our own, but the reality exists where to immigrate and to assimilate are separate issues.
One could live a prosperous and full life in Texas without ever learning the English language. The same holds true for cities around the world, particularly in Europe. Often the cultures in question are viewed as incompatible, and not without reason. Distrust has been the result; violence has been the result. Sadly, these are the repercussions of years of misguided or intentionally destructive policies. Compassion fades towards a perceived threat and the willingness to share the prosperity of a society is diminished when its underpinning values are despised. It is for this reason that migration can be weaponized in the first place.
If it were truly a solution to labor issues, shrinking populations and economic ills, why would the avowed enemies and detractors of Western society be the ones promoting and facilitating it? Certainly those issues need addressing, but they are not truly what is at stake when it comes to migration. If it were, the discussion would be how to encourage immigration in an orderly and legal manner. It is not like there is any shortage of those who would be interested, as we can clearly see.
Nor is it a reasonable way to deal with a humanitarian crisis, be it preexisting or created. Many who have made arduous journeys, selling all that they have and risking their lives with smugglers and human traffickers who abandon them at the first sign of law enforcement, say they would not have even attempted the trip if they had known how dangerous and difficult it would be. Many fail over and over to gain entry to the US or the EU, spending months in limbo along a border in deplorable conditions, virtually at the mercy of the criminals they have paid to smuggle them in.
What they suffer is atrocious. The stories of abuse and extortion are gut wrenching. But the very fact that success remains possible encourages more and more people to make the attempt. It’s even part of the business model in some cases. Many who have entered Poland from Belarus report having to make a video testimonial for their guides on arrival. This verifies completion for the gangs that organize the process, often so the guides can get paid, and it works as advertising to recruit more “customers.”
While many are seeking safety, opportunity or a better life, the fact that it remains a wide open free-for-all renders all oversight impossible. Compassion cannot blind us to the reality that the very worst elements, from some of the most dangerous societies in the world, also take advantage of the status quo. These do not intend to assimilate or contribute to society, only to pillage and destroy. All hypocrisy aside, there is enough self interest and criminality extant in Western society to bring it to its knees without importing any more.
Despite all that is wrong with Western culture, and its sins are many, it would be foolish not to expect a reaction to the unmitigated and ongoing disaster that appears to be “business as usual” as far as border policy goes. When times get tough people become self interested. There is a tendency to look for someone to blame. The focus becomes my problems, my job, my entitlements, my country. It is a conflict that simmers. What happens when it begins to boil?
Even liberal cities like New York were forced to admit the situation was out of control after receiving only a fraction of those entering the US. History is replete with atrocities by aggrieved majorities in search of a scapegoat. Rational, secure border policies are desperately needed for many reasons. Stopping the ongoing tragedy, restoring sovereignty, protecting the vulnerable and preventing this issue from spiraling completely out of control to name a few. May God be our guide as we deal with these complex and unprecedented problems.
