European Union’s Migration European Union’s Migration Policy : Harmonization & Policy : Harmonization &

SecuritizationSecuritization

Anamaria Dutceac SegestenAnamaria Dutceac Segesten

CUHK, November 18, 2011CUHK, November 18, 2011

Major questionsMajor questions How does the EU policy ón How does the EU policy ón

migration and asylum works?migration and asylum works? What is the process of What is the process of

harmonization?harmonization? Does securitization of Does securitization of

migration take place in the migration take place in the EU in the post 9/11 context?EU in the post 9/11 context?

The paradox of integrationThe paradox of integration As the internal borders As the internal borders

between member states between member states became continuously became continuously weakened, the external weakened, the external borders of the EU became borders of the EU became proportionally reinforcedproportionally reinforced

EU citizens enjoy EU citizens enjoy numerous rights and numerous rights and freedoms, non-EU citizens freedoms, non-EU citizens have very restrictive have very restrictive accessaccess

““Fortress Europe”Fortress Europe”

Internal BordersInternal Borders Single market (1986)Single market (1986) Freedom of movement, of residence (simplified Freedom of movement, of residence (simplified

since 2006)since 2006) Increase in mobility of students, but not so much Increase in mobility of students, but not so much

mobility of the work forcemobility of the work force Schengen agreement (most recently (most recently

Switzerland)Switzerland) Common Visa Policy, Visa Common Visa Policy, Visa Information System (2007).Information System (2007).

Exceptions: new members after enlargementExceptions: new members after enlargement- Restrictions on the freedom of movement in Restrictions on the freedom of movement in

order to protect national labor marketsorder to protect national labor markets- Bilateral agreements establish deadlines and Bilateral agreements establish deadlines and

quotasquotas

External BordersExternal Borders Reinforced via stricter border controls at the Reinforced via stricter border controls at the

entry points into the EU (Frontex agency)entry points into the EU (Frontex agency) Desire to protect and isolateDesire to protect and isolate Need for import of labor force to compensate Need for import of labor force to compensate

for demographic and specialization factorsfor demographic and specialization factors Security concerns high on the agenda; also Security concerns high on the agenda; also

economic and cultural issueseconomic and cultural issues ““fortress Europe” – a fortress of the rich?fortress Europe” – a fortress of the rich? External Borders Fund- 1.82 billion Euro External Borders Fund- 1.82 billion Euro

(2007-2013), helps Schengen Member States (2007-2013), helps Schengen Member States to secure Europe’s external bordersto secure Europe’s external borders

MigrationMigration

Historically, Europe has been both a Historically, Europe has been both a destination and a departure pointdestination and a departure point

Recently, Europe increased its force of Recently, Europe increased its force of attractionattraction

After WWII – 3 phases (Geddes 2003)After WWII – 3 phases (Geddes 2003)1. Primary labor migration (1950s – 70s): 1. Primary labor migration (1950s – 70s):

worker migrationworker migration2. Secondary/ family migration (mid 70s – 2. Secondary/ family migration (mid 70s –

present): unification of familiespresent): unification of families3. Third Wave (post Cold War): workers; 3. Third Wave (post Cold War): workers;

refugees; asylum seekers refugees; asylum seekers

NationalNational & Foreign EU populations & Foreign EU populations 20102010

Source: Eurostat report

Main countries of birth of persons born Main countries of birth of persons born outside their country of residence, 2009outside their country of residence, 2009

Legal MigrationLegal Migration

Attempt to create a common European Attempt to create a common European policy on migration and asylumpolicy on migration and asylum

Tampere I and II programsTampere I and II programs HarmonizationHarmonization of procedures, of procedures,

requirements and standards; common requirements and standards; common residence policy (long-term residence after residence policy (long-term residence after 5 years)5 years)

Economic focus: trained professionalsEconomic focus: trained professionals Integration policy, anti-discrimination Integration policy, anti-discrimination

policypolicy

Policy HarmonizationPolicy Harmonization

Aim: Bring together national Aim: Bring together national regulations and lawsregulations and laws

Explained by the neofunctionalist Explained by the neofunctionalist spillover effect: economic integration spillover effect: economic integration and trade -> elimination of internal and trade -> elimination of internal borders -> freedom of movement for borders -> freedom of movement for labor -> harmonization of labor -> harmonization of intraeuropean cross-border intraeuropean cross-border regulationsregulations

Illegal MigrationIllegal Migration

Common European policy on illegal Common European policy on illegal migrationmigration

Information exchange +integrated border Information exchange +integrated border mgmt and visa requirement systemsmgmt and visa requirement systems

CoordinationCoordination of nat’l policies of nat’l policies Larger problem for EU border states, incl. Larger problem for EU border states, incl.

higher costs for border patrolling and higher costs for border patrolling and control measures -> internal divisionscontrol measures -> internal divisions

Asylum seekers and refugeesAsylum seekers and refugees Number of asylum seekers and refugees oscillates Number of asylum seekers and refugees oscillates

proportionally to the number of major intern’l crisesproportionally to the number of major intern’l crises Point-of-entry regulations apply (Dublin regulation) -> Point-of-entry regulations apply (Dublin regulation) ->

diversity of nat’l policiesdiversity of nat’l policies• Example of Greece Example of Greece

Common European Asylum SystemCommon European Asylum System• Not a reality, but a goal: deadline 2012Not a reality, but a goal: deadline 2012- Common definitions, standards and treatmentCommon definitions, standards and treatment- 1. More harmonization1. More harmonization- 2. Effective practical cooperation2. Effective practical cooperation- 3. Increased solidarity and responsibility3. Increased solidarity and responsibility

Most recent document: The Stockholm Programme Most recent document: The Stockholm Programme (2009)(2009)

Asylum applicants, EU-27, January 2010 – March 2011

Top 5 countries of citizenship of applicants 1st quarter 2011

Afghanistan - 5 765

Russia - 4 140

Iraq - 3 790

Serbia - 3 775

Kosovo - 3 090

Top 5 countries of destination 1st quarter 2011

France - 14 335

Germany - 12 035

Belgium - 7 450

UK - 6 360

Sweden - 6 230

First instance decisions by outcome, top Member States, First instance decisions by outcome, top Member States, 1st quarter 20111st quarter 2011

FRONTEX and SecuritizationFRONTEX and Securitization

At the same time with the focus on solidarity and responsibility At the same time with the focus on solidarity and responsibility (normative discourse) we observe the practice of securitization(normative discourse) we observe the practice of securitization

The creation of a joint European border control agency, FRONTEX, The creation of a joint European border control agency, FRONTEX, in 2005.in 2005.

It operationalizes the principle of EU Integrated Border It operationalizes the principle of EU Integrated Border Management. Management.

It assists national governments with their own border policies – It assists national governments with their own border policies – careful not to infringe too much on state sovereignty.careful not to infringe too much on state sovereignty.

Over time, the Over time, the budgetbudget of FRONTEX grew significantly of FRONTEX grew significantly

2005 - 6.2 million EUR 2005 - 6.2 million EUR

2006 - 19.2 million EUR 2006 - 19.2 million EUR

2007 - 22.2 million EUR plus additional 13 million EUR in reserve 2007 - 22.2 million EUR plus additional 13 million EUR in reserve

……

2011 – 86.4 million EUR2011 – 86.4 million EUR

Why FRONTEX?Why FRONTEX?

Increased pressure at the bordersIncreased pressure at the borders Lack of a common migration and asylum Lack of a common migration and asylum

policy at supranational levelpolicy at supranational level Imperfect harmonization Imperfect harmonization Uneven border practices (implementation)Uneven border practices (implementation) Migration is an issue sensitive to Migration is an issue sensitive to

international context (wars, terrorism) and international context (wars, terrorism) and to domestic politics (rise of xenophobia)to domestic politics (rise of xenophobia)

Critical voices

Related issuesRelated issues

DemographicsDemographics Labor marketsLabor markets TradeTrade Cultural diversity and integrationCultural diversity and integration Security Security Relations with neighborsRelations with neighbors EnlargementEnlargement