The European Union has a groundbreaking new plan to stop illegal immigration — legalising it. European Commission president Ursula,von der Leyen announced thbis week that Brussels intends to “open more safe pathways, legal pathways, to Europe.” It’s almost impressive how tone-deaf this scheme is. At the same time that the continent is crying out for stricter border controls, the EU decides that the solution to mass migration is more migration. It doesn’t seem to have occurred to the supposed experts in Brussels why so many people are so angry in the first place.
The EU is trying desperately to frame the debate around migration as one centred on illegal smuggling gangs and modern slavery. According to this logic, the EU’s priority must be in “preventing the illegal journeys offered by smugglers” and “[warning] people about the risks of illegal crossings.” Not necessarily by beefing up border control, but by making it easier to arrive in Europe by legal means. Of course, no one wants to see migrants come to any harm, illegal or not. But if Brussels really cares about keeping them out of danger, the focus should be on removing the incentives to come here at all. It should be made clear that any and all migrants who enter Europe through improper channels will be swiftly deported.
