Situation Report on the EU’s Current State of Illegal Immigration

‘Two points from the recent Frontex report deserve more attention. Firstly, while in 2015 the most popular migration route into Europe was the Western Balkans, today…it is the Central and Western Mediterranean routes…The other thing that emerges from the figures is that…there were fewer arrivals by all routes until April compared to the same period in 2024.’

Migrants are helped off a boat by members of the Spanish Red Cross and Guardia Civil officers at La Restinga port in El Hierro, Canary Islands, Spain on 4 February 2023.

Spain’s Urgent Need for New Migration Governance Amid Renewed Pressure

‘Yet nearly two decades later, Spain appears increasingly unprepared to manage a renewed wave of migratory pressure. In 2023 alone, over 56,000 migrants arrived by sea, with more than 61,000 arrivals recorded by the end of April 2024. The Canary Islands remain the epicentre, experiencing a 140 per cent year-on-year increase.’

‘Illegal migration has to be stopped, legal migration has to be controlled’

‘People who come illegally are breaking the law. People who come in very large numbers, illegally or not, are changing the country. And that’s the main issue today: the impact of immigration on the character of Western countries with strong and unique cultures that their peoples have every right to take pride in and preserve…’

EU Commission’s Migration Fines on Hungary Exceed €500M

Penalties related to Hungary’s dispute with the European Commission over migration policy exceeded €500 million by mid-April. Following a verdict by the European Court of Justice, Hungary is obliged to pay €1 million per day—among other fines—until it implements legislation in compliance with EU law.

US Supreme Court Gives Trump a Big Win on Immigration

In a 5–4 decision, the US Supreme Court ruled that a Federal Judge in DC had no power to halt the deportation of 200 Venezuelan gang members to El Salvador, and the challenge should have been filed in Texas, where the illegal migrants were detained. However, the ruling also stressed that it does not address the constitutionality of using the 1798 Alien Enemies Act to deport illegal migrants.

Changing Migration Policies in EU Member States

‘The proposals of some governments and the thinking behind them may raise questions about the future of the new asylum and migration pact, which is due to enter into force in 2026 and includes the idea of binding quotas. Nevertheless, practice shows that Member States want to see fewer and fewer migrants on their territory.’