Atlantic Community:Global Must Read Article "Border Dramas: Europe's Shared Responbility"

Thomas Spijkerboer, VU University Amsterdam | November 12, 2009

Since the enforcement of Europe's common migration policy in the early nineties, corpses have washed up on the Mediterranean shores on a daily basis. ++ Although the Mediterranean countries may be doing the "dirty work", other EU member states are equally responsible for the consequences of this policy. ++ More technology is not going to end illegal migration; it will merely result in more inventive operational strategies. ++ Policy makers should stop looking away and look for better ways to handle the issue of illegal migration.

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Sat, Nov 14th 2009, 21:16

Rachel Druker, New York University School of Continuing and Professional Studies, (2)

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Spijkerboer points out the shared responsibility of European Union members to prevent further illegal migrant deaths, regardless of each country's literal border location, and predicts the failure of any technological improvements that will aim to stem future illegal immigration. Spijkerboer clearly accepts the inevitability of migration to Europe, in spite of increased sea patrols, heightened Visa requirements, and further obstacles put into place. It is clear that massive funding is required for these protectionist measures, and arguable that European policy is causally related to the recent substantial increase in migrant deaths, since the early 1990s. Is it Europe's responsibility to protect world citizens by opening their borders and relaxing immigration policy? Further, is it possible that immigration could help, rather than harm, the European economy?