Immigration to Europe started after World War 2 and the rate continued to increase over the years into the 20th century up to date (" Debating Europe"). Western Europe experienced quite a significant percentage of immigration, especially after the World War 2. Currently, there are a sizable number of immigrants consisting of both Europeans and non-Europeans, who are defined as both illegal and legal immigrants. In 2004, the percentage even grew further after the European Union granted a permit for citizens to move freely within the EU nations ("Debating Europe"). The aspect of immigrations has received different reactions; some people saw it as a good thing to have different people within the county, which would result in cultural diversity. Others saw it as a negative thing; that the new people would not bring any good to their nations, as they were viewed as criminals. Many countries in Europe responded differently.
After the war, Europe worked towards an improved economic structure, and this attracted more immigrants into the region. In 1957, there was the formation of the European Economic Community, whose policies ensured the subsequent expansion that was aimed at creating a common market ("Debating Europe"). In this case, there was an increased rate of movement of capital, and goods. This step significantly affected the flow of immigrants into the country, in that it became more dynamic. Another aspect that changed immigration into Europe is the collapse of the Soviet Union in the 1990s ("Debating Europe"). After its collapse, there was a process political and economic restructuration, which affected immigrant since the re-partitioning caused displacement of people. In such a case, people would move in and out of one area to the next. These factors significantly affected immigration within Europe itself, though it is also vital to note that immigration also occurred from outside Europe.
Decades after the Second World War, many European colonies had lost their colonies since their colonies had gained independence, with examples being India and Pakistan who gained their independence from Great Britain in 1957. Algeria attained its independence from France in 1962 and Congo from Belgium in 1960 (Peter). In this case, former colonial powers granted rights to the citizens of previous colonies to come to Europe. At this time, countries like Netherlands got immigrants from Indonesia. The United Kingdom also received immigrants from Asia and East Africa. Therefore, decolonization greatly influenced immigration into Europe ("Debating Europe"). The colonial powers encouraged immigration into Europe, since they were in need of unskilled labor and they knew that the immigration was temporary. The immigrants were expected to leave after the economic boom had ebbed.
In the recent past, many immigrant numbers have significantly increased. The main reason that causes the increased number is war. Many immigrants come from warring countries like Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, and many others. The rates of war and conflicts have increased over the years, and therefore, immigrant numbers increase since many people seek refuge in Europe (Peter). Another cause is the high poverty levels faced by the people who come into Europe. In addition, there is the lack of security and deteriorating state of human right in their countries. Clearly, such conditions are not suitable for living, and therefore many people opt to move to other areas for a better life. Germany has been receiving the greatest number of immigrants and as at 2015, it had the highest number of immigrants followed by Hungary (Peter). France, on the other hand, has recently opened its doors to refugees despite the considerable opposition it has faced. It has taken in a good number of refugees, Muslims included, even though many other members of the European Union have fought against it. There was also a controversy on this issue as the other members of the European Union have urged the France administration to take in refugees from Britain, but France still insists that it should carry its fair share of the burden in the immigration crisis. Currently, Europe is facing the highest influx of migrants into Europe. Millions have entered compared to 280, 000 in 2014 (BBC News). Immigration into Europe has had many effects and have led to response activities by European countries.
It is quite difficult to distinguish whether immigration has an advantage or a disadvantage to Europe. Firstly an increased number of immigrants results in a higher number of the labor force. In addition, it results in an increased market for the product in the region. As a result, the GDP will go up (" Debating Europe"). In general, and immigration would lead to a culturally diverse region. Despite these positive impacts, it also has negative ones in that countries in Europe will have to adjust their budget and eventually incur the cost of harboring immigrants, which includes health care and security. The increased number will also result in decreased employment opportunities for both the natives and the immigrants ("Europe's Migration Crisis"). Immigration in Europe has increased tensions, especially in the countries receiving many immigrants from Greece, Hungary, Italy, and Germany.
Currently there is an immigration crisis in Europe since they are fighting with mass movements in the region and many of the European countries have tightened their immigration laws and policies. Some countries, like Greece and Hungary have erected barbed wire fences to deter entry of people. This has led to many immigrants stranded in the Greece and Macedonian borders. The European Union has decided to relocate about 160,000 refugees across Europe. This is to avoid a situation where only few countries receive a large number of immigrants while others receive less. Hence, the burden is suffered by one, yet other countries have a very small percentage of immigrants like Croatia ("Europe's Migration Crisis"). This activity has, however failed due to the various logistics involved, hence; they opted to start with the countries with the most population of immigrants.
European countries have applied the Dublin regulation, which would help maintain migration within Europe itself, such that in case any alien comes into Europe, Germany for example, they are not to move to another country. In such an instance, they would risk being deported. Some countries like Denmark have cited security concerns in voicing their reluctance in accepting immigrants, especially those from North Africa and the Middle East; especially after the Copenhagen and Paris terrorist attacks in 2015 ("Europe's Migration Crisis"). Poland and Syria have responded by only accepting Christian immigrants from Syria since they do not trust Muslim immigrants. In the case of Germany and Sweden, they have set open immigration policies; this is a brilliant idea due to the foreseen demographic trajectory of a larger population of ageing people and a declining rate of birth rates. Therefore, immigrants to these countries would ensure a boost in the economy through taxpayers, labor force, and market for products.
It is quite evident that immigrants do not only go to Europe as the US also has its fair share of immigrants and immigration issues. They have also had their policies concerning immigration. The US government has responded to immigration issues by assimilating immigrants into their nation; Mexicans have shown a greater rate of progress compared to other people, especially those with strong cultural backgrounds, (McCabe and Meissner). The US has done much in having a less strict policy in the entry of immigrants into the US. Also, they have also applied strategies to naturalize the immigrants, which gives them a social identity.
There are many comparisons between the policies taken by the US and Europe. It is evident that they have much to learn from each other regarding their responses to immigration issues. In this case, the primary focus will be drawn to the lessons that the US can learn from Europe. Firstly, in America, 77% agree that the US government is poorly handling the immigration in the country, mostly believe that the US has not been open in their immigration policies (McCabe and Meissner). Europe, on the other hand, has faced the same degree of the immigration crisis, yet their approaches have been more open. Historically, it is quite clear that the US was founded by immigrants, in the earlier ages; immigrants have been seen as a source of cheap labor and markets for products in the nation (Snyder).
In Europe, their culture and religion have been made paramount, and their policies are quite rigid. In the US, immigrants are assimilated and given a social identity; in this case, they have more freedom to interact socially and religiously. It is evident that Europe, mostly prefers immigrants from other countries and regions apart from the Middle East where there is so much war. In this case, the lesson that the US can learn about identity, despite accepting people of different nations and calibers, it is necessary to uphold the identity of the nation (McCabe and Meissner). In essence the current state of the US, the true American identity has been watered down due to the assimilation of different cultures, hence, it is vital to maintaining the status of the people. In addition, the encouragement of many immigrants increases the chances of insecurity since there is an increased spectrum of having insecurity issues in the nation.
Another lesson that can be learned by the US is that it is better to take in immigrants they can cater for comfort. The UN says that there are more displaced immigrants compared to the Second World War period (BBC News). Europe has taken in immigrants and has applied policies that devolve immigrants across European nations to achieve balance. In the US, the government has indeed taken an encouraging step in having more immigrants into the country, despite the benefits they have in the country. It is obvious that it would serve no good if they immigrate and get displaced at the same time (BBC News). The lesson that the US can learn is to have immigrants, they can comfortably cater for to achieve maximum benefits.
In the current times, the larger US population has an increased negativity towards immigrants; they have been stereotyped by so many people. It is not fair to detest the people who have been the source of a success of a nation as they are seen as a threat to the security of the country (Snyder). In Europe, especially in German, immigrants are not evidently detested; they have looked at the brighter picture of having immigrants in their country. In essence, they have focused on the positive good they can bring to their citizens; this is a lesson the US can learn from Europe.
Accepting different types of immigrants is a good deed, although it is also important to limit the number of immigrants to a number that can be well catered for by the government. In addition, it is imperative to maintain the identity of the nation and not just freely accepting immigrants with their beliefs and granting them so much freedom. In my opinion, this is, however, the most important lesson that the US can learn from Europe. In Europe, immigrants are not granted so much freedom. A good example is in Germany, where its leaders believe that one cannot call themselves German and yet wear a scarf on the head as compared to the case in the US where Muslims call themselves Americans and still wear scarfs on their heads (BBC News). Europeans have stricter rules, hence, they are quite keen on the cultural diversity, which they would not want to see watered down by the existence of immigrants. The situation in the US is quite dramatic since no one can define the country’s culture.
In conclusion, as much as the US has a lot to learn from the policies of, Europe too has a handful to learn from the US. In that, it has provided more assistance to the immigrants. Overall, it is not a bad move to take in immigrants and refugees from different countries; it is also paramount to uphold the identity and the nature of the people. However, it is not good to allow the immigrants to water down the culture and identity of the country.
Works cited
"Europe's Migration Crisis." Council on Foreign Relations. N.P., 2016. Web. 10 May 2016. "How Should Europe Respond To Immigration? - Debating Europe". Debating Europe. N.P., 2012. Web. 10 May 2016.
McCabe Kristen and Doris Meissner. "Immigration And The United States: Recession Affects Flows, Prospects For Reform." migrationpolicy.org. N.P., 2010. Web. 10 May 2016.
Peter, • Laurence. "Migrant Crisis: How Can EU Respond To Influx? - BBC News". BBC News. N.P., 2015. Web. 10 May 2016.
Snyder, Amy. "APUSH-Wiki-Marlborough-School - American Reactions towards Immigration." Apush-wiki-marlborough-school.wikispaces.com. N.P., 2016. Web. 10 May 2016.
"Why Is EU Struggling With Migrants And Asylum? - BBC News". BBC News. N.P., 2016. Web. 10 May 2016.
