The EU's Migration Policy (Leaving Cert Geography): Revision Notes
The EU's Migration Policy
Introduction to EU migration policy
The European Union has developed a complex migration policy framework built on the principle of freedom of movement for workers within the EU. This fundamental right, established with the Treaty of Rome, allows EU citizens to work freely in other member states without needing permits. However, non-EU foreign nationals still require work permits to work in EU countries like Ireland.
The EU's approach to migration represents one of the world's most comprehensive attempts at coordinated international migration management, balancing economic needs with humanitarian responsibilities.
The EU's approach to migration has evolved significantly due to demographic challenges and economic needs, leading to various systems and agreements designed to manage migration flows effectively.
Why Europe needs migrants
European countries face significant demographic challenges that make migration essential for their economic survival. Most EU member states are in Stage 4 or Stage 5 of the Demographic Transitional Model, characterised by low birth rates and ageing populations.
As populations age and decline, migrants become crucial for:
- Filling labour shortages in key sectors
- Bringing essential skills that may be lacking domestically
- Supporting economic growth in developed countries
Many European countries particularly lack skilled workers in research, information technology, and engineering sectors.
The EU estimates it will need approximately 20 million immigrants by 2020 to address these labour shortages effectively - a figure that demonstrates the scale of Europe's demographic challenge.
Key EU migration systems
The Dublin System and FRONTEX
Dublin System: A system introduced in 2003 requiring that the EU country where refugees first enter must deal with their asylum application, aimed at preventing 'asylum shopping'.
The Dublin System was designed to create order in asylum processing across the EU. Under this system:
- Asylum seekers are fingerprinted upon entry
- Their information is stored on a central database accessible to all EU member states
- This prevents people from applying for asylum in multiple countries
FRONTEX, the EU's border control agency, was established in 2004 to support member states in securing their borders. The agency provides particular assistance to Mediterranean countries like Greece, Italy, and Spain, which have become primary entry points for migrants from Africa and Asia.
The Schengen Agreement
The Schengen Agreement (1995) enables free movement between most EU member states by removing internal border controls. This agreement has allowed the EU to develop common immigration laws and asylum seeker regulations.
Ireland is one of only six EU member states not part of the Schengen Agreement, maintaining its own border controls and immigration policies.
The Schengen Agreement aims to:
- Prevent readmission of immigrants already refused by another EU state
- Simplify the process for immigrants to obtain work permits and residency
- Share migration responsibility among all EU member states
- Combat illegal immigration and human trafficking
The EU Blue Card
EU Blue Card: Introduced in 2011, this gives work permits and residency to non-EU migrants who are offered a salary 1.5 times the EU average in their host country.
The Blue Card system is designed to attract highly skilled migrants by offering:
- Work permits for qualified non-EU nationals
- Residency rights in EU countries
- A pathway for skilled workers to contribute to European economies
By setting high salary requirements, the EU hopes to attract migrants with the specific skills needed in European labour markets.
Concerns about common EU migration policy
While the common EU migration policy aims to create stability and fairness, it has generated several concerns that challenge the system's effectiveness and fairness.
"Fortress Europe" criticism
Fortress Europe: An unofficial term describing the increasing difficulty for migrants to enter EU states.
Critics argue that EU migration policies create a "Fortress Europe" that makes entry extremely difficult for migrants. This has strengthened xenophobic attitudes and supported the rise of far-right political parties across Europe.
Far-right political parties: Political parties that are extremely nationalist and anti-immigration in outlook and oppose social democracy.
Loss of sovereignty
Many member states worry about losing control over their own migration policies as more power shifts to EU-level decision-making. This concern emphasises the need for future policies to balance EU-wide coordination with respect for national sovereignty.
The migration crisis and policy responses
The 2015 migration crisis highlighted both the necessity and limitations of EU migration policies. Over half a million refugees arrived in EU member states, primarily fleeing war-torn Syria and Afghanistan, overwhelming the EU's ability to manage its borders effectively.
Impact on southern member states
The crisis placed enormous pressure on southern EU countries, particularly:
- Greece
- Hungary
- Croatia
These countries became primary entry points for migrants, leading to:
- Construction of barbed wire defences
- Use of tear gas at borders
- Deployment of armed soldiers
- Criticism from the United Nations over harsh border management methods
Due to the Dublin System, many southern states felt abandoned by the EU during this crisis, as they bore the primary responsibility for processing asylum seekers while other member states offered limited support.
Macedonia's state of emergency
In August 2015, Macedonia declared a state of emergency due to the huge volume of migrants passing through daily. This crisis spread to other EU member countries, creating tensions throughout the union.
Future challenges and developments
Policy reform needs
The migration crisis revealed that policies like the Dublin System have failed to bring stability and unity to EU immigration laws. The EU now needs to upgrade its migration laws to address:
- Human rights concerns
- Anti-discrimination measures
- Citizenship and family reunification issues
Future EU immigration policy must balance attracting skilled migrants with providing compassionate assistance to asylum seekers from developing or war-torn countries.
Changes to the Schengen Agreement
In December 2015, the European Commission proposed major amendments to the Schengen Agreement. Previously, only non-EU travellers had their details checked on police databases, but changes now apply to migrants from within the EU as well.
However, following the French and Belgian terror attacks of 2015 and 2016, internal border checks have become much more common, challenging the free movement principle.
Brexit implications
The UK's 2016 decision to leave the EU created additional complications for EU migration policy. Despite negative views towards immigration influencing the Brexit vote, EU migrants in the UK tend to be:
- Young and highly skilled
- Significant contributors to public finances
- Essential for filling labour shortages across various industries
Post-Brexit, the UK will need to negotiate new arrangements for EU worker movement to ensure sufficient workforce levels.
Key facts about Syrian refugees
Syrian Refugee Statistics:
- More than 75% of Syrian refugees are women and children
- Less than 1% of Syria's refugees will be granted asylum in the EU
These statistics highlight the humanitarian dimension of the migration crisis and the limited capacity of the EU to provide refuge for those fleeing conflict.
Summary
Key Points to Remember:
- Freedom of movement is a fundamental EU principle, but non-EU nationals still need work permits
- The Dublin System requires the first EU country entered to process asylum applications, preventing "asylum shopping"
- FRONTEX provides border security assistance, particularly to Mediterranean countries facing high migration pressures
- The 2015 migration crisis exposed weaknesses in EU migration policies and highlighted the need for reform
- Brexit was partly influenced by immigration concerns, but skilled EU migrants are essential for the UK economy