This wave of people, predominantly from the Middle East and North Africa has elicited

a strong reaction from many Europeans. Nationalist and right wing groups have been gaining popularity,

and reports of mass sexual assault and violence by foreign nationals has Europe’s leaders

scrambling. In recent months, countries known for liberal values have taken drastic steps

to curb the influx of new migrants. So, what Extreme Measures are EU Countries Taking To

Keep Migrants Out?

Well, for decades, the EU has notably allowed free travel between a majority of its member

countries. This region of unrestricted borders is called the Schengen Area. But as migrants

have entered the EU, many have run afoul of the Dublin Regulation, which says asylum seekers

must apply for asylum in the first country they arrive. However, many have continued

on, travelling to Germany and Sweden. In late January of 2016, the EU threatened to suspend

Greece from the Schengen Area entirely, citing Greece’s inability to effectively filter

incoming asylum seekers. A number of Schengen participating countries, including Austria,

Denmark, France, Germany, Norway, and Sweden, have already enacted border controls. This

crisis has many wondering if a borderless Europe will soon be a thing of the past.

In particular, Germany has faced considerable criticism for Chancellor Angela Merkel’s

refusal to cap the number of migrants. However, Germany, and a number of other countries,

have begun deportation, whether to home countries or simply neighboring European countries.

Migrants, predominantly from Afghanistan, Morocco, and Algeria have been sent to Austria

from Germany, at a rate of roughly 200 a day. Over the course of 2016, Sweden has prepared

to expel an estimated 80,000 asylum seekers, based on a rejection rate of about 45%. There

have also been plans to send seafaring migrants back to Turkey as they arrive in Greece. But

Turkey has only agreed to accept returned migrants on the condition that the EU accept

up to a quarter of a million migrants per year.

But besides border control and deportation, some countries have turned to more aggressive,

and in some ways, disturbing practices. In an effort to deter asylum seekers, Denmark’s

parliament recently approved the confiscation of valuables from incoming refugees. For those

seeking entry, any cash over roughly $1,500 dollars would be taken to cover the cost of

food and lodging in the asylum process. Some have likened this to similar actions by Nazi

Germany, which took Jewish belongings during World War II. In Great Britain, a private

company in charge of caring for asylum seekers recently cancelled a plan to make refugees

wear colored wristbands in order to receive food. This drew comparisons to Jews having

to wear armbands identifying them as such.

While some actions by European countries are understandable in the wake of unexpected mass

migration, there is no question that European, Middle Eastern, and North African leaders

need to find a working solution. Until they do, both migrants, and European residents

will continue clashing and suffering from this unprecedented crisis.

CTA

The migrant crisis is splitting up thousands of families across Europe. If you’re interested

in a more personal look, watch this mini documentary I did with Fusion about two refugee brothers

separated from each other and their families. You can also watch another TestTube News video

about what role the EU has had in the migrant crisis. Thanks for watching Test Tube News,

make sure to like and subscribe for new videos every day.

So what rights do refugees actually have? Check out this video at the top to find out.

You can also watch the video at the bottom about what role the EU has had in the migrant

crisis. Thanks for watching Test Tube News, make sure to like and subscribe for new videos

every day.