Disputable Migration Issues - Assignment Example

Question One

Migration is as old as human kind. However, in the recent years it has become complex with a myriad of challenges and opportunities. Because of the risks that international migration presents to modern day state, many countries are coming up with various regulation and policies to curb irregular migration. Some of the pressing concerns that have led to a paradigm shift in the management of international migration include terrorism, deadly diseases, and harsh economic conditions among others. Europe remains one of the most sort destinations of many migrants especially those from the developing world. The pull and push factors for this type of migration are both voluntary as well as involuntary. Many of the migrants who go to Europe from the developing world are as a result of political instability, intra state wars and poor economic conditions. They move to Europe with the hope of finding safety as well as better living conditions and rebuilding their lives afresh. For them Europe represents that ideal land of opportunities.

An article by BBC titled Europe Migration Crisis: EU presents legal Migration Plan articulates the new plan the European countries are deliberating in a bid to manage the high number of migrants they have been receiving in since what was called the Summer of migration of 2014 (BBC News 27 September 2017). The estimated number of migrants that travelled to Europe at that time is estimated at 1.7 million. It should be noted that this was actually the second time such a plan was being proposed. This deliberation was born out of the fact that the first two-year plan did not manage to settle the intended160 000 asylum seekers. The first time plan failed to even reach out to more than one third of the targeted asylum seekers. According to Commission's Vice-President Federica Mogherini the new plan to be rolled starting the 20th September 2017 was about managing one of the most complex, structural phenomena of our times, not a temporary emergency i.e. international migration.

This resettlement scheme that has been proposed actually suspends earlier rules that had been passes to the effect that those migrants coming to Europe will have to apply for asylum in the country of entry to the European Union. This had put unnecessary baggage to some of the frontline countries like Italy and Greece which resulted in a huge refugee management crisis. Therefore, the commissioner announced priority will be given to those would be refugees that had already entered Italy and Greece and their number was estimated to be about 8 000. Some states like Hungary and Poland filed a case against the migration plan in the EU Court of Justice but the case did not materialize (BBC News (27 September 2017).

The EU commissioner was optimistic that the EU plan was in the course for delivering the resettlement of migrants. The failure of the first two-year plan was also blamed on the 2016 deal with Turkey and the sanctions against migrants from Libya. These two factors led to the drop of number of migrants that qualify under the plan. This is because the many of the migrants that managed to come to Europe did not meet the eligibility criteria of the resettlement plan. Actually the proposed new plan aims at expanding the focus from the Middle East and Turkey to include migrants from North Africa and the Horn adfri9ca as well. The EU commissioner argues that this plan will ensure that migrants have a safe channel of ensuring their migration to Europe. The plan will help curb the smuggling of migrants in the long run even though that not its main focus. Lastly the commissioner noted that an approximately 500 million euros have been set aside by the EU to cater for this resettlement scheme (BBC, September, 27, 2017).

In addition, the Commissioner intends to streamline the Then Schengen Visa attainment procedures. Making the announcement the commissioner reiterated that there were plans to update the governing code of the 26 nation Schengen zone of free movement. The article notes that countries like German Denmark, Norway and France have exercised precautions against terrorist attacks and so they reintroduced border check at certain response to migrant arrivals. Even though France had reinstated the border checks, the commissioner notes that these are due to expire in the coming few weeks. While such moves are welcome by the EU commissioner, however member states are usually advised to seek alternative checks to irregular migration. Usually extensions of such border checks are only allowed to a maximum f between six to three years.

Amidst all these checks member states are usually encouraged to weigh options and see when they can be lifted. This is because according to the commissioner Schengen remains one of the biggest achievements of the union which fosters integration in the area. Hence in support of these spirits of free movement within the region the member states need to limit the use of internal border. Therefore, the use of border checks is in fact seen as a threat to the already existing integration and good neighborliness in the region. The commissioner advises member states to only use border checks as the last resort. Earlier on, in a meeting that was held in Brussels, the proposal to update the Schengen code had been tabled. The members were given an update of how the commission has so far handled the security challenges especially at the external borders. Members were also invited to give suggestions on how the internal borders can be executed without jeopardizing the spirit of free movement in the region (EU, 27 September 2017). It is at this meeting that the Schengen Border was introduced. The border code was to allow member states to reinstate internal border controls when they deem fit. However, the commissioner while noting with concern the current risk of terrorist attacks, asked the members to be very reasonable in the use of such internal controls.

One of the major things that the commission has done over time is to amend the Schengen Code so that it remains as relevant as possible depending on the existing security needs of the member states. A lot of policy research findings suggest that many migrants from Africa and the Middle East end up in Europe. The member states are always wary of these migrants because they are deemed to come from region where terrorist insurgents reside. The member states suggested that the timeline of internal border controls be extended as aforementioned and proper external border safeguard be put in place.

The article concludes by noting that while the extension of time limits for internal border control sounds a great idea, to some it may prove challenging especially in cases where member state face recurrent security threats. The proposed six months may be challenging to such states. That’s why member states proposed stricter procedural safeguard controls at the external border. They need to invest in early warning systems whereby they are able to carry out detailed risk assessment of any potential threat that certain migrants or migration routes (EU, 27 September 2017). The European Union commissioner was challenged to set aside amount to fund these detailed risk assessment exercises especially as regards the external borders. In conclusion modern day terrorism has in a lot of ways shaped migration management. That is why migrants have become securitized. The securitization o migration has especially escalated in the post September 11 era with countries becoming more vigilant of about their internal as we as external borders.

Question Two

In this paper focuses on two groups of migrants those from Iraq and Syria and those from the Togo and Nigeria from the northern part of Africa. For the Syrians and Iraqis their ideal destination is always German. Their main reason for leaving their countries is because of the protracted political instability in their countries which has led to never ending civil wars. The Syrians and the Iraqis always get to Germany through turkey which remains largely the country of transit.

Migrants from western part of Africa usually go through Libya and use Spain as the point of entry into Europe. The reasons for migration for the Africans into Europe are mainly economic and political. Many of them are always running away from political strife which characterizes a number of western African countries like Togo, Nigeria, and Libya among other. Notably a good number also endeavor to have access to a better life and so they are always running from the harsh economic climate back at home which manifests in the form of high rate of unemployment, poor wages, poor housing among others (Carling, J. (2006)). Cultural integration of migrants is a very complicated issue. In Germany many migrants from the Middle East end up working and living among their own people who dominate the Arab street in Berlin. Many migrants usually are faced with a culture shock in their dream country. Getting culturally integrated has so many aspects including education, language, food, housing, and other traditional practices that define a people (Cuttitta, P. (2005).

It can easily be concluded that the first generation of migrants may never achieve full cultural integration. Only those of subsequent generation may get to learn the host county’s language and even be open to try adopting cultural beliefs and practices of the destination or host country. Even so there is no guarantee that the subsequent generation will be fully culturally integrated in the host country. So many factors come into play when it comes to integration of migrants. This is because current research shows that some migrants may actually move to other third countries and this may largely affect their integration process. Some of the migrants especially from the Arab countries are known to come from closed communities that frown upon adapting to new cultures. They are the kind of migrants that migrate with their cultures. It’s very hard to integrate them in new host settings. This is so especially with their religious beliefs. They hold dear their Muslim faith and so they are likely to only mingle with their Muslim counterparts in the host settings. When choosing where to settle in Europe many migrants whether from Africa or Europe usually go to those countries that have favorable migrant policies, have a considerable number of their people or because of proximity. That’s why you wouldn’t find them going to the Americas because that’s too far from their home country and again the journey can be very costly.

Question Three

If am that poor undocumented document say either from the Africans or the Middle east, I would definitely go the EU region as opposed to the Americas. The reasons are as follows; to begin with since many migrants employ the services of smugglers to get to their country of destination, if you compare the USA and the EU, it will cost a little less to get to the EU as opposed to the USA. Secondly recently introduction of anti-migrant restrictions and laws under the Trump presidency which seeks to limit the people settling in the USA will also a paramount impact on the decision to choose EU over the UA. As the above article noted at least the EU has a resettlement scheme for migrant from the Middle East or Africa. I would be encouraged to settle in the EU region so that I can benefit from this scheme.

Thirdly is the issue of having access to many opportunities. The European Union region consists of various countries and as a poor migrant you have a choice in terms of choosing which one you can go to. Lastly there are many migrants from the Middle East and Africa in the European region and therefore it would be easy to find and settle among your own people. Research shows that many migrants are likely to settle among their own even in host countries. It is unlikely that a Muslim from the Arab Land would settle in Kruezberg for instance. They would rather go to the Arab street instead.