Another group of migrants that added to the immigration to Western Europe picture has been the elites. The least visible and most welcomed by the western countries, the elites are the businessmen, international company workers, artists, students and retired seniors. In many of these cases, a gradual transition from short term stays to permanent migration has been observed (Fassmann and Münz, 1994, p.11). The elites are highly skilled and only a small percentage of the whole migration process and therefore are not considered to be a part of the migration issue in Western Europe.
Flow of refugees is another major and maybe the most important reason for migration in Europe. Following every conflict between countries, many people are forced to leave their homelands in search for asylum from West European countries. Millions of people have had to leave their homes after the second World War and the Balkan problem of the 90’s. As a result and a striking example; Western Germany integrated a total of 24 million refugees and migrants between the years of 1945 and 1992. Therefore, most Western European countries are now looking for ways to guard themselves against both kinds of immigration with strict visa policies, border controls and asylum regulations. Hence, among the 438.000 refugees who applied for asylum in Germany after the outbreak of hostilities in Bosnia-Herzegovina in 1992, only 5% was successful.
As the labour-immigration has been slowed down and the immigration of elites is welcomed by Western European countries, the only remaining problem related to migration has been the immigration of refugees and asylum seekers since the end of the 70’s. The never ending hostilities and their consequences have continued to trigger more and more refugee migration over the past 30 years. Thus, these asylum seekers have become a major problem for the Western European countries who had to face an ethical dilemma; either to accept the incoming refugees and grant them asylum for the sake of humanity or generate new policies in order to restrict the flow of incomers. In the end, the western countries had to look for ways to deal with this problem because the numbers did not seem to end. Therefore, the countries who had the most amount of incoming refugees, namely the UK, Germany, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria and Sweden began creating strict policies dealing with refugees and redefining their policies about other forms of migration by the 90’s.
The reasons and motives -other than a need to escape from hostilities- behind this pattern of migration can be collected in several major headlines even though they vary from one country to another. Among these, the push factors include economic decline, increase in unemployment, political instability and population growth. On the other hand, the most significant pull factor is that almost all Western European countries are now hosts to considerable amounts of immigrant population which means that the immigration routes to these countries have already been opened up in the past. Although efforts have been made to restrict these routes since the early 70’s, these routes still remain partly open. Another important but less visible pull factor for the immigrants is that the market structures that are being shaped by the globalization trend imply continuing requirement on immigrant workers. This is because the capitalism wave that is being spread by globalization works on a basis of accumulating giant capitals for big corporations through the hard work of laborers and immigrant laborers are cheaper.
The current control policies over unwanted immigration to Western European countries depend on overseeing all of the immigration at all times in order to have the numbers in control. Formal channels are easy to control with restricted visa regimes and documentation checks. However, it is not through the formal channels that the unwanted immigrants pass through. Illegal migration with ships and through uncontrolled borders is a method used by immigrants that is almost impossible to totally supervise. Having an eye on all of these possibilities brings a considerable economic burden and therefore the borders will continue to be important in the future. On the other hand, other methods of control have been established. These methods include the use of id cards as proof of legality to access a range of public and private services such as housing, healthcare, banking services and social benefits (Collinson, 1993, p.51). Severe punishments for companies that employ illegal immigrant workers is also exercised.
The level of restriction that is being maintained in Western European countries defines some problems as well. That is, a defensive and restrictive approach towards immigration makes immigration seem like a very important problem, making the recieving society more sensitive towards the issue. This in turn may cause pressure by the society for even more strict and harsh policies.
Secondly, the importance given to the immigration issue causes a widespread negative perception of it. Therefore, the economic and social values of immigration are forgotten and linking social and economical problems with immigration is encouraged. Even more importantly, this situation reinforces aggressive tendencies towards the settled immigrants or in other words; minority groups.
Entering the 21st century, the recieving countries of Western Europe have to develop new policies concerning migration. The policies carried out so far to date have been more on the side of “quick fixes”. Border controls, visa restrictions and other short term solutions may or may not be effective but in the end they are expensive and do not actually provide a healthy solution since the migration process is not likely to end. What these countries need to do is to take a broader look at the picture of migration in Europe and start thinking regionally and long term. It has been seen that the members of the EU has begun thinking regionally but so far this thought process has not been used to develop more efficient migration policies.
A more effective regime can only be applied with a clear and realistic understanding of every country’s capacities, needs and pressures. If the fact that a more long-term and equal policy will benefit every country in the long run becomes recognized and appreciated by all nations, then politicians will be able to carry proposals concerning migration that were seen to be unpopular in the past. Since migration will never stop, the most sensible thing to do is to develop an efficient management system that will bring order to the whole picture of migration towards Western Europe. Only then will the governments can focus on the benefits and minimize any negative effects that may come up in the future.
In conclusion, it can be stated that migration occurs anywhere, anytime. It is seen as a normal part of life within the borders of a state since people always have the right to look for jobs or opportunities elsewhere. However, since we live in a world divided into nation states, migration from one state to another is seen as an unwanted and disruptive fact. Yet, the modern world is moving on everyday with the effects of the globalization wave and borders are becoming less and less important everyday. Therefore, in order to move along with the wave rather than get trampled in it, a commitment to the challenges that it brings is a vital necessity.
REFERENCES
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Baldwin-Edwards, M. & Schain, M. (1994) The Politics of Immigration In Western Europe.
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Collinson, S. (1993) Beyond Borders: West European Migration Policy Towards The 21st Century.
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Fassmann, H. & Münz, R. (1996) European Migration In The Late Twentieth Century.
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Hamilton, K. (1995) Migration And The New Europe