dw.com
Europe's Shifting Stance on Immigration: From "We Can Do It" to Border Security
Since Germany's 2015 open-door policy, the EU has seen a surge in asylum applications, peaking again in 2023, leading to a policy shift from humanitarian aid to stricter border controls and faster deportations.
- How has the political discourse surrounding immigration in Europe evolved since 2015?
- The initial focus on a "duty to help" has shifted to framing immigration as a security risk. This is reflected in the new European Pact on Migration and Asylum, prioritizing border protection and faster deportations of those without legal residency. The rise of right-wing populist parties has also influenced this shift.
- What are the long-term implications of the EU's increasingly restrictive immigration policies?
- The EU's new pact and proposed deportation centers indicate a move towards stricter border controls and potentially faster deportations. This could lead to a more hostile environment for asylum seekers and may not align with the nuanced public opinion, which while showing some increase in anti-immigration sentiment, still demonstrates complexities and some improvement in attitudes towards immigrants already within the EU.
- What was the immediate impact of Germany's 2015 open-door policy on asylum applications across the EU?
- The policy led to a sharp increase in asylum applications across the EU; Eurostat recorded over 1.2 million in 2015 and 1.5 million in 2016, with over one million in Germany alone. This number remained high, except for 2020, peaking again in 2023 above 1 million before declining.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article presents a balanced view of the migration issue in Europe, acknowledging both the challenges faced by host countries and the humanitarian aspects of refugee flows. However, the focus on the increase in migration applications and the political responses might unintentionally overshadow the individual stories and experiences of migrants. The headline, while not explicitly biased, could be improved to better reflect the complexity of the issue, perhaps by adding nuance such as "Europe's Shifting Stance on Migration: A Balancing Act".
Language Bias
The language used is largely neutral, avoiding overtly charged terms. While words like "obsessive focus" and "hostile" are used, they are attributed to specific sources and presented within a broader context. However, the repeated use of terms like "surge" and "peak" in relation to migration numbers could be interpreted as framing migration as a threat rather than a complex social phenomenon.
Bias by Omission
The article could benefit from including more diverse perspectives, such as the experiences of refugees themselves and the views of organizations supporting them. While experts' opinions are included, direct quotes from migrants or representatives of refugee support groups would enrich the narrative and offer a more comprehensive picture of the issue. The omission of the economic contributions of migrants could also lead to an incomplete understanding.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article discusses the increasing hostility towards immigrants in Europe, the rise of anti-immigration sentiment fueled by misinformation and fear, and the implementation of stricter asylum and migration policies. These factors can undermine social cohesion, create an environment of fear and discrimination, and potentially lead to increased social unrest and conflict, thus negatively impacting peace and justice. The shift from a focus on humanitarian aid to a security-focused approach to migration also reflects a change in priorities that may negatively impact the rule of law and fair treatment of asylum seekers.