Europe Must Surf above the Migration Wave

This paper is divided into two sections. The first section addresses the issue of irregular migration, exploring its root causes as well as related challenges, such as "Caporalato." This term, derived from Italian, refers to the illegal intermediation and exploitation of irregular workers, primarily within the agricultural sector. The second section examines how migration flows can be harnessed as an opportunity. We will explore how Europe can implement projects that not only strengthen its economy and security but also address pressing issues, such as curbing the operations of human trafficking networks responsible for smuggling migrants from the Middle East and Africa to Europe.

Introduction

Migration is not a new phenomenon; it dates to the earliest humans, who moved in search of better land with accessible food and water. Migration is defined as "the movement from one country, place, or locality to another." Ancient human migration was often driven by environmental factors such as floods, droughts, and water shortages.

Currently, one of the most significant migration crises in history is unfolding, with many immigrants heading toward Europe. To understand the present crisis, we must ask ourselves: What compels individuals, who may not even know how to swim, to consider the sea as their route to Europe? What drives people to board overcrowded rubber boats with dozens of others?

The answer is simple: they are fleeing death.

Do they have other options? No.

Is there a solution? Yes, but the solution lies in ending starvation and war, though this is a complex and long-term goal. In the meantime, we must consider alternative, more practical approaches. Europe does not need to "fight" the wave of migration; instead, it should find a way to ride the wave, guiding it toward a prosperous future for all.

Migration problem and its Roots

The wave of migration toward Europe intensified following the Syrian and Libyan civil wars, with migrants flooding into Europe by both land and sea. Immigrants enter Europe through various means, some legally and others irregularly. Irregular migration can take two forms: one where migrants manage to reach Europe independently, a less common and often unsuccessful route, and the other where migration is organized by human traffickers, including gangs and militias.

These criminal groups exploit immigrants, often taking almost everything, they own. According to a report from Almarkazia newspaper, the cost of a human smuggling trip from Lebanon ranges from $5,000 to $7,000 per person, depending on the number of people on the boat. A boat typically carries between 70 and 100 individuals, with the cost decreasing if the boat exceeds 70 passengers.If fewer than 70 people are aboard, the price increases to $7,000 per person. An activist familiar with the situation explained to Legal Agenda that a 57-passenger boat trip could generate as much as $285,000 in revenue. After deducting expenses such as the boat’s cost, captain’s fee, and bribes, the net profit for traffickers is estimated at $170,000.

This illustrates the enormous profits made by traffickers, while migrants often sell all their belongings to afford the perilous journey, fully aware of the high risk such as the possibility of the boat sinking or being intercepted by coast guards. Many of those who attempt to reach Europe perish during the journey or are forcibly returned to their countries, penniless and without hope.

Those who do make it to Europe are often considered fortunate, but their situation is not without challenges. In some cases, immigrants may not receive legal residence and remain undocumented, leading to various social and legal problems. For instance, Italy, which has received a high number of irregular immigrants, recorded 157,652 sea arrivals in 2023 alone, a number that can fluctuate greatly depending on weather conditions. On calm, sunny days, Italy could see thousands of immigrants arriving in a single day, making it difficult to manage and control the flow. As a result, many immigrants are released without documentation, leaving them without proof of their presence in the country.

According to Statista, nearly 195,000 people were irregularly present in Italy in 2023. These undocumented immigrants are vulnerable to exploitation in the labor market or criminal activities, as their lack of legal status makes them easy targets for exploitation. The situation poses significant risks, as undocumented immigrants are difficult to track and may be used for illegal activities by criminal organizations.

At present, Italy is struggling to manage the large influx of migrants, and the European Union has a crucial role to play in supporting the country. This will be further discussed in the second part of this paper, where we will examine potential policy changes at the EU level.

In Italy, the exploitation of irregular migrants is also exemplified by the phenomenon of “Caporalato”—the illegal intermediation and exploitation of irregular workers, especially in agriculture. According to data from Tavolo Caporalato, in 2018, 872,000 people were employed in Italy’s agricultural sector, with 82% being Italian nationals, 6.5% from other EU countries, and 11.4% from non-EU countries. It is likely that many of the non-EU citizens were irregular migrants, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation and modern-day slavery.

All EU countries face similar challenges regarding irregular migration.

While some countries may be experiencing a relatively calm situation, they could face more severe challenges in the future as new routes or changing circumstances emerge.

Considering this, it is essential that the EU acts in solidarity and takes collective responsibility for managing irregular migration, as it should already be doing.

Migration is an Opportunity

Migration toward the European Union represents a significant opportunity, not only for the immigrants seeking a second chance at a better life but also for the EU itself. The key lies in transforming the current challenges into an opportunity. The solution is straightforward, it requires a decision from the EU. This approach involves expanding the process for receiving immigrants, but in a structured and regularized manner.

Before introducing this concept, we must reflect on the previous section, which highlighted the immense sacrifices immigrants make to reach the EU. We observed that many are willing to pay thousands of dollars to risk their lives on boats with high chances of capsizing. This is where the proposed solution comes into play.

The EU should establish new offices in Africa and the Middle East to manage immigration applications. Immigrants interested in moving to the EU would apply their documents and pay a fee approximately 3,000 euros, which would cover travel costs and administrative procedures. Applicants would then undergo language and security checks, which could take between one to three months. If they fail either the language or security checks, the fee would be refunded. However, if successful, the applicant would receive an acceptance letter and be placed in a queue until a job is secured for them in the EU country of their choice. Once employment is found, they would receive a single-entry visa for that country.

Upon entry to the EU, immigrants would not be permitted to leave the country they entered for up to two years. During this period, they would undergo integration programs, including language courses and cultural orientation. Their behavior and societal contribution would also be assessed to determine whether they can eventually become EU citizens. If an immigrant is found to be violating the law or acting negatively toward society during this period, they would be sent back to their home country.

Though this policy may raise ethical concerns particularly regarding the return of immigrants to places they sought to escape it can be justified by drawing a parallel to charitable giving. If a person receives financial assistance but uses it in harmful ways, it is reasonable to stop supporting them and instead offer a form of support that better suits their needs. Similarly, the EU should tolerate only those who respect the law and contribute positively to society.

This initiative could benefit the EU in two main ways. First, it could provide an economic boost by creating job opportunities for EU citizens within the new offices across Africa and the Middle East, while also generating revenue from the application fees, which would support the salaries of office staff and the execution of related EU projects. Second, it could undermine human trafficking by offering immigrants a safer, more affordable route to the EU. With these offices, migrants would no longer need to rely on dangerous smugglers, and they would have a clear path to employment upon arrival.

Moreover, the establishment of these offices would strengthen EU security. By collecting biometric data and conducting thorough security checks, the EU would gain valuable information to assess the risks posed by potential immigrants, preventing those who fail security screenings from entering.

In conclusion, this project offers the EU an opportunity to navigate the migration wave in a way that benefits both the EU and the immigrants seeking a new life. Of course, further study and refinement of this idea are necessary to determine its feasibility and identify potential adjustments. The world needs hope, and the EU could be a beacon of that hope for a better future.

References

Europe Must Surf above the Migration Wave

Introduction

Recent Posts

Comments