If you think Trump’s migration policies are extreme, look at the EU’s

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Migration in Europe

Migration has been a significant issue for Europe’s politicians since 2015, when over a million migrants, including many Syrians fleeing war, arrived in the European Union (EU). In the past decade, the EU’s approach towards migration has shifted from the optimistic “we can do it” stance of former German Chancellor Angela Merkel to a more restrictive approach aimed at deterring new arrivals at the EU border. In 2023, the number of arrivals dropped to fewer than 300,000, and this year, the EU’s border agency, Frontex, estimates that approximately 160,000 migrants have reached Europe.

Border Restrictions and Migration

In recent months, several European countries have implemented various forms of border restrictions in an effort to discourage migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers. Poland, for instance, recently announced a temporary halt to processing asylum requests from migrants arriving from neighboring Belarus, citing security concerns. Germany’s Olaf Scholz also implemented border controls this summer to prevent undocumented migrants from entering Germany after a Syrian man stabbed eleven people, resulting in three deaths. Additionally, six other countries, including Italy, France, and Austria, have introduced border checks.

The Influence of Trump’s Return

Some analysts argue that if former US President Donald Trump were to return to the White House, it would strengthen the resolve of those who share his administration’s migration policies. The potential resurgence of Trump’s influence could have significant implications for Europe’s approach to migration and its alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

   • Target 10.7: Facilitate orderly, safe, regular, and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies.
   • Indicator: Number of migrants and refugees reaching Europe.

2. SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

   • Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.
   • Indicator: Number of countries implementing border restrictions or controls.

Analysis

The issues highlighted in the article are connected to SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities and SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

The article discusses the shift in Europe’s approach to migration, with countries implementing border restrictions to deter migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers. This connects to SDG 10, which aims to reduce inequalities and promote the safe and responsible migration of people. The article mentions the decrease in the number of migrants reaching Europe, indicating efforts to control migration flows.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

The article also highlights the implementation of border restrictions by several European countries, such as Poland, Germany, Italy, France, and Austria. This relates to SDG 16, which focuses on promoting peace, justice, and strong institutions. The article mentions the reasons behind these border controls, including invoking security threats and preventing undocumented migrants from entering. This indicates the importance of maintaining law and order in managing migration.

The specific targets identified based on the article’s content are:

• Target 10.7: Facilitate orderly, safe, regular, and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies.
• Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.

The article mentions indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

• Number of migrants and refugees reaching Europe: This indicator reflects the effectiveness of migration policies and the management of migration flows. The article mentions a decrease in the number of migrants reaching Europe in recent years.
• Number of countries implementing border restrictions or controls: This indicator reflects the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies. The article mentions several European countries that have introduced border checks or controls.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: politico.eu