2015 European migrant crisis

Period of significant increase in migration off Refugee crisis World War II evacuation and expulsion Ukrainian refugee crisis November 2015 January 2024 European refugee crisis Immigration to Europe and Impact of Arab Winter infobox 360 border:3; 1/2/2 Map of the European Migrant Crisis 2015.pngAsylum applications in the European Union (EU) and European Free Trade Association (EFTA) states between 1 January and 30 June 2015 according to Eurostat data LE Eithne Operation Triton.jpgOperation Triton: Irish Naval Service personnel from the LÉ Eithne (P31) rescuing migrants, 15 June 2015 20151030 Syrians and Iraq refugees arrive at Skala Sykamias Lesvos Greece 2.jpgSyrian and Iraqi immigrants getting off a boat from Turkey on the Greek island of Lesbos. A small boat in water, with land on the horizon behind. Many people are on its outside in orange life jackets, some carrying inner tubes as well. A few are in the water swimming toward the camera. In the foreground a man in a red and black wetsuit has his hand out to them. Manifestacio_barcelona_volem_acollir.jpgProtest "Volem acollir" ("We want to welcome") took place in Barcelona on 18 February 2017 and became the biggest pro-refugee demonstration in Europe Flashmob_gegen_Männergewalt,_Köln_2016_-4384.jpgProtesters gather outside Cologne Cathedral after New Year's Eve sexual assaults in Germany, January 2016From top, left to right: Map of crisis,Data for the rest of the year 2015 can be found in the Eurostat Asylum quarterly report.https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Asylum_quarterly_report Asylum quarterly report – Statistics Explained ec.europa.eu 17 December 2018 26 July 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190726141720/https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Asylum_quarterly_report live Operation Triton, Refugees at Skala Sykamias Lesvos, Protesters at "Volem acollir" ("We want to welcome"), Protesters after New Year's Eve sexual assaults in Germany 2014–2016 no Europe North Africa Middle East Mediterranean Sea Central and South Asia In 2015, there was significant movement of refugees and migrants into Europe, mostly from the Middle East. An estimated 1.3 million people came to the continent to request asylum,The migrant crisis: European perspectives and national discourses 2017 Melani Barlai Birte Fähnrich Christina Griessler Markus Rhomberg Peter Filzmaier (preface) LIT Verlag Münster 978-3-643-90802-5 953843642 the most in a single year since World War II.Dumont Jean-Christophe Scarpet Stefano September 2015 Is this humanitarian migration crisis different? https://www.oecd.org/migration/Is-this-refugee-crisis-different.pdf Migration Policy Debates OECD 23 August 2021 30 July 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210730232111/https://www.oecd.org/migration/Is-this-refugee-crisis-different.pdf live They were mostly Syrians,Ayaz Ameer Wadood Abdul Summer 2020 An Analysis of European Union Policy towards Syrian Refugees http://pu.edu.pk/images/journal/pols/pdf-files/1-v27_2_2020.pdf Journal of Political Studies 27 2 1–19 2308-8338 2568033477 30 January 2023 30 January 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230130010616/http://pu.edu.pk/images/journal/pols/pdf-files/1-v27_2_2020.pdf live but also included a significant number of people from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Nigeria, Eritrea,30 November 2016 FACTBOX-How big is Europe's refugee and migrant crisis? https://news.trust.org/item/20161130143409-nr3lz Thomson Reuters Foundation News 14 October 2021 16 October 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211016204043/https://news.trust.org/item/20161130143409-nr3lz live and the Balkans.Migrant crisis: Explaining the exodus from the Balkans BBC News 8 September 2015 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-34173252 9 March 2022 9 March 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220309153841/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-34173252 live The increase in asylum seekers has been attributed to factors such as the escalation of various wars in the Middle East and ISIL's territorial and military dominance in the region due to the Arab Winter, as well as Lebanon, Jordan, and Egypt ceasing to accept Syrian asylum seekers.Zaragoza-Cristiani Jonathan 2015 Analysing the Causes of the Refugee Crisis and the Key Role of Turkey: Why Now and Why So Many? https://cadmus.eui.eu/bitstream/handle/1814/38226/RSCAS_2015_95.pdf?sequence=1 EUI Working Papers Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies 7 August 2021 7 August 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210807031505/https://cadmus.eui.eu/bitstream/handle/1814/38226/RSCAS_2015_95.pdf?sequence=1 live The European Union (EU) attempted to enact some measures to address the problem,Hatton Tim https://wol.iza.org/uploads/articles/550/pdfs/european-asylum-policy-before-and-after-the-migration-crisis.pdf European asylum policy before and after the migration crisis IZA World of Labor 2020 en 19 May 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230519145138/https://wol.iza.org/uploads/articles/550/pdfs/european-asylum-policy-before-and-after-the-migration-crisis.pdf 19 May 2023 live including distributing refugees among member countries, tackling root causes of emigration in the home countries of migrants, and simplifying deportation processes.Nugent Neil The government and politics of the European Union Palgrave Macmillan 2017 978-1-137-45409-6 8th 1–20 Setting the Scene: The ‘Crises’, the Challenges, and Their Implications for the Nature and Operation of the EU However, attempts to coordinate an EU-wide response largely failed, as most countries refused to accept large numbers of migrants, and several refused to take in any at all.2020-04-02 EU court rules against three states over refugees https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-52133906 2026-10-06 www.bbc.com en-GB Many EU governments closed their borders.September 2026 Germany ultimately accepted most of the refugees after the government decided to temporarily suspend its enforcement of the Dublin Regulation. Germany would receive over 440,000 asylum applications (0.5% of the population). Other countries that took in a significant number of refugees include Sweden (156,000; 1.6%) and Austria (88,000; 1.0%). Hungary also initially registered 174,000 applications, but most of these were withdrawn or canceled.Juhász Atilla Refugees, Asylum and Migration Issues in Hungary Molnár Csaba Zgut Edit Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung e.V. 2017 978-80-907076-3-4 8 Right-wing populist parties gained support as immigration became a key political issue and became significantly more popular in many countries.September 2026 Terminology News organisations and academic sources use both migrant crisis and refugee crisis to refer to the 2015 events, sometimes interchangeably. Some argued that the word migrant was pejorative or inaccurate in the context of people fleeing war and persecution because it implies most are emigrating voluntarily rather than being forced to leave their homes.Rachman Gideon 3 September 2015 Refugees or migrants – what's in a word? http://blogs.ft.com/the-world/2015/09/refugees-or-migrants-whats-in-a-word/ 25 November 2015 Financial Times 5 June 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170605224454/http://blogs.ft.com/the-world/2015/09/refugees-or-migrants-whats-in-a-word/ liveMalone Barry 20 August 2015 Why Al Jazeera will not say Mediterranean 'migrants' https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2015/8/20/why-al-jazeera-will-not-say-mediterranean-migrants live 23 August 2021 Al Jazeera en https://web.archive.org/web/20201030054012/https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2015/8/20/why-al-jazeera-will-not-say-mediterranean-migrants 30 October 2020 The BBCRuz Camila 28 August 2015 The battle over the words used to describe migrants BBC News https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-34061097 25 November 2015 8 November 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211108082216/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-34061097 live and The Washington PostTaylor Adam 22 August 2015 Is it time to ditch the word 'migrant'? en The Washington Post https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2015/08/24/is-it-time-to-ditch-the-word-migrant/ 23 August 2021 0190-8286 15 November 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201115214032/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2015/08/24/is-it-time-to-ditch-the-word-migrant/ live argued against the stigmatization of the word, contending that it simply refers to anyone moving from one country to another. The Guardian said while it would not advise against using the word outright, "'refugees', 'displaced people' and 'asylum seekers' ... are more useful and accurate terms than a catch-all label like 'migrants', and we should use them wherever possible."Marsh David 28 August 2015 We deride them as 'migrants'. Why not call them people? http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/aug/28/migrants-people-refugees-humanity live 23 August 2021 the Guardian en https://web.archive.org/web/20150830203113/http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/aug/28/migrants-people-refugees-humanity 30 August 2015 Al Jazeera, on the other hand, expressly avoided the term migrant, arguing it was inaccurate and risked "giving weight to those who want only to see economic migrants". Some have taken issue with the framing of the phenomenon as a "crisis." Political scientist Cas Mudde argued that the term reflects "more a matter of personal judgment than objective condition," writing that "[t]he EU had the financial resources to deal with even these record numbers of asylum seekers, although for years it had neglected to build an infrastructure to properly take care of them."Mudde Cas The Far Right Today November 11, 2019 Polity 978-1509536849 1st 13 Causes of increased asylum seekers The most significant driver of the wave of refugees entering Europe in 2015 was the Syrian civil war.Varma Tara Roehse Sophie October 24, 2024 Understanding Europe's turn on migration https://www.brookings.edu/articles/understanding-europes-turn-on-migration/ 2025-03-15 Brookings Institution en-US Several other countries in the Middle East and northern Africa were also experiencing social unrest that drove people to flee.Campo Francesco Giunti Sara Mendola Mariapia Refugee crisis and right-wing populism: Evidence from the Italian Dispersal Policy European Economic Review September 2024 168 104826 10.1016/j.euroecorev.2024.104826 2434/1089875 free Background In 2014, the EU member states counted around 252,000 irregular arrivals and 626,065 asylum applications,August 2015 Asylum Statistics in the European Union: A Need for Numbers https://www.ecre.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/AIDA-Briefing-Asylum-statistics-in-the-EU-a-need-for-numbers-August-2015.pdf AIDA Legal Briefing 2 4 28 April 2023 16 May 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230516150443/https://www.ecre.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/AIDA-Briefing-Asylum-statistics-in-the-EU-a-need-for-numbers-August-2015.pdf live Bitoulas Alexander Asylum applicants and first instance decisions on asylum applications https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/products-data-in-focus/-/KS-QA-15-003 3/2015 2015 Data in Focus Eurostat 28 April 2023 28 April 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230428184819/https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/products-data-in-focus/-/KS-QA-15-003 live the highest number since the 672,000 applications received in the wake of the Yugoslav Wars in 1992. Four countries – Germany, Sweden, Italy and France – received around two-thirds of the EU's asylum applications. Sweden, Hungary and Austria were among the top recipients of EU asylum applications per capita, when adjusted for their own populations, with 8.4 asylum seekers per 1,000 inhabitants in Sweden, 4.3 in Hungary, and 3.2 in Austria.euronews – Data raises questions over EU's attitude towards asylum seekers http://m.euronews.com/en/304485/ dead https://web.archive.org/web/20160328233348/http://m.euronews.com/en/304485/ 28 March 2016 28 August 2015 euronews.com Asylum in the EU http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/home-affairs/e-library/docs/infographics/asylum/infographic_asylum_en.pdf European Commission 5 September 2015 28 March 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160328235232/http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/home-affairs/e-library/docs/infographics/asylum/infographic_asylum_en.pdf live The EU countries that hosted the largest numbers of refugees at the end of 2014 were France (252,000), Germany (217,000), Sweden (142,000) and the United Kingdom (117,000).18 June 2015 UNHCR Global Trends –Forced Displacement in 2014 UNHCR http://unhcr.org/556725e69.html 5 September 2015 17 January 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200117044813/https://www.unhcr.org/556725e69.html live In 2014, the main countries of origin, accounting for almost half of the asylum seekers, were Syria (20%), Afghanistan (7%), Eritrea (6%), Kosovo (6%) and Albania.The number of asylum applicants in the EU jumped to more than 625 000 in 2014 http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/documents/2995521/6751779/3-20032015-BP-EN.pdf/35e04263-2db5-4e75-b3d3-6b086b23ef2b EUROSTAT 4 March 2016 28 March 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160328235213/http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/documents/2995521/6751779/3-20032015-BP-EN.pdf/35e04263-2db5-4e75-b3d3-6b086b23ef2b live Most crossed the Mediterranean Sea from Libya.15 April 2015 Migrant boat capsizes off Libya, 400 feared dead Fox News Channel https://www.foxnews.com/world/migrant-boat-capsizes-off-libya-400-feared-dead/ live 19 April 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150930071234/http://www.foxnews.com/world/2015/04/15/migrant-boat-capsizes-off-libya-400-feared-dead/ 30 September 2015 The overall rate of recognition of asylum applicants was 45 per cent at the first instance and 18 per cent on appeal although there were huge differences between EU states,Silburn MPH FAWM Alan Tanvir F. Ton J. Lathigara N. Ashraf R. Arndell J. 2024-01-30 Ungoverned, Unfair, Unacceptable: A UN Solution to Refugee Distribution https://ijmra.in/v7i1/36.php International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Analysis en 07 1 10.47191/ijmra/v7-i01-36 2643-9840 free ranging from Hungary (accepted 9% of applicants) to Sweden (accepted 74%).EU Member States granted protection to more than 185 000 asylum seekers in 2014 http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/documents/2995521/6827382/3-12052015-AP-EN.pdf/6733f080-c072-4bf5-91fc-f591abf28176 EUROSTAT 4 September 2015 28 March 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160328235222/http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/documents/2995521/6827382/3-12052015-AP-EN.pdf/6733f080-c072-4bf5-91fc-f591abf28176 live Escaping from conflicts or persecution According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, most of the people who arrived in Europe in 2015 were refugees fleeing war and persecutionRefugees/Migrants Emergency Response – Mediterranean http://data.unhcr.org/mediterranean/regional.php UNHCR 29 October 2015 21 March 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160321204604/http://data.unhcr.org/mediterranean/regional.php dead in Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq and Eritrea: 84% of Mediterranean Sea arrivals in 2015 came from the world's top ten refugee-producing countries.30 December 2015 Over one million sea arrivals reach Europe in 2015 UNHCR http://www.unhcr.org/5683d0b56.html 28 December 2016 29 March 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160329003146/http://www.unhcr.org/5683d0b56.html live Wars fueling the migrant crisis were the Syrian Civil War, the Iraq War, the War in Afghanistan, the War in Somalia, and the War in Darfur. Refugees from Eritrea, one of the most repressive states in the world, fled from indefinite military conscription and forced labour.10 September 2015 Refugee crisis: apart from Syrians, who is travelling to Europe? The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/sep/10/refugee-crisis-apart-from-syrians-who-else-is-travelling-to-europe 11 December 2016 1 April 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190401015224/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/sep/10/refugee-crisis-apart-from-syrians-who-else-is-travelling-to-europe live22 July 2015 It's not at war, but up to 3% of its people have fled. What is going on in Eritrea? The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/22/eritrea-migrants-child-soldier-fled-what-is-going 11 December 2016 23 September 2015 https://archive.today/20150923100909/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/22/eritrea-migrants-child-soldier-fled-what-is-going live The major regions of conflict that have resulted in the increase of asylum seekers in the European region are: +Asylum applications by nationality in per cent / yearRecord number of over 1.2 million first time asylum seekers registered in 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20190713115053/https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/documents/2995521/7203832/3-04032016-AP-EN.pdf/790eba01-381c-4163-bcd2-a54959b99ed6 13 July 2019 (44/2016) 4. March 2016; 1.2 million first time asylum seekers registered in 2016 (46/2017) 16. March 2017 Sort Region of origin 2015 2016 SyrianWestern Asia29% 28% Other 26% 28% AfghanistanCentral Asia14% 15% IraqWestern Asia10% 11% Albanian Southeast Europe5% 2% Eritrea East Africa3% 3% Iran Western Asia2% 3% KosovoSoutheast Europe5% – Nigeria West Africa2% 4% Pakistan South Asia4% 4% Syrian civil war Syrian civil war The Syrian civil war began in response to the Arab Spring protests of March 2011, which quickly escalated into a civil uprising. By May 2011, thousands of people had fled the country and the first refugee camps opened in Turkey. In March 2012, the UNHCR appointed a Regional Coordinator for Syrian Refugees, recognising the growing concerns surrounding the crisis. As the conflict descended into full civil war, outside powers, notably Iran, Turkey, the United States and Russia funded and armed different sides of the conflict and sometimes intervened directly.Tan Kim Hua Perudin Alirupendi April 2019 The "Geopolitical" Factor in the Syrian Civil War: A Corpus-Based Thematic Analysis SAGE Open en 9 2 215824401985672 10.1177/2158244019856729 197715781 2158-2440 free By March 2013, the total number of Syrian refugees reached 1,000,000,Situation Syria Regional Refugee Response https://data2.unhcr.org/en/situations/syria 17 March 2018 data2.unhcr.org 19 February 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180219072255/http://www.data.unhcr.org/syrianrefugees/regional.php live the vast majority of whom were internally displaced within Syria or had fled to Turkey or Lebanon; smaller numbers had sought refuge in Iraq and Egypt.Mona Chalabi 25 July 2013 Syrian refugees: how many are there and where are they? http://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2013/jul/25/syrian-refugee-crisis-in-numbers-updated 8 July 2021 The Guardian en 11 July 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210711022333/https://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2013/jul/25/syrian-refugee-crisis-in-numbers-updated live War in Afghanistan War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) Anti-Afghan sentiment Afghan refugees constitute the second-largest refugee population in the world.Afghanistan United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees http://www.unhcr.org/en-us/afghanistan.html 17 March 2018 4 May 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180504092907/http://www.unhcr.org/en-us/afghanistan.html live According to the UNHCR, there are almost 2.5 million registered refugees from Afghanistan. Most of these refugees fled the region due to war and persecution. The majority have resettled in Pakistan and Iran, though it became increasingly common to migrate further west to the European Union. Afghanistan faced over 40 years of conflict dating back to the Soviet invasion in 1979. Since then, the nation faced fluctuating levels of civil war amidst unending unrest. The increase in refugee numbers was primarily attributed to the Taliban presence within Afghanistan. Their retreat in 2001 led to nearly 6 million Afghan refugees returning to their homeland. However, after the Taliban insurgency against NATO-led forces and subsequent Fall of Kabul, nearly 2.5 million refugees fled Afghanistan.8 September 2016 Afghanistan: What you need to know about one of the world's longest refugee crises International Rescue Committee (IRC) https://www.rescue.org/article/afghanistan-what-you-need-know-about-one-worlds-longest-refugee-crises 7 April 2018 7 May 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210507161524/https://www.rescue.org/article/afghanistan-what-you-need-know-about-one-worlds-longest-refugee-crises live Kosovo Migration from Kosovo occurred in phases beginning from the second half of the 20th century. The Kosovo War (February 1998 – June 1999) created a wave. On 19 May 2011, Kosovo established the Ministry of Diaspora. Kosovo also established the Kosovo Diaspora Agency (KDA) to support migrants. The unemployment rate in Kosovo in 2014 was estimated at 30%, a majority of the unemployed being in the age range 15–24.Burimi: Rezultatet e Anketë së Fuqisë Punëtore në Kosovë 2013 http://ask.rks-gov.net/component/content/article/35-yoocarousel/589-fuqia-puntore Kosovo Agency of Statistics, KAS/AKS 29 January 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20160304045205/http://ask.rks-gov.net/component/content/article/35-yoocarousel/589-fuqia-puntore 4 March 2016 dead This was reflected in the age range of the emigrants, roughly 50% of whom were youth between the age of 15–24.Sa është kosto e emigrantëve që po lëshojnë Kosovën dhe cila është mundësia parandalimit të emigrimit http://www.zeri.info/zerat/14697/sa-eshte-kosto-e-emigranteve-qe-po-leshojne-kosoven-dhe-cila-eshte-mundesia-parandalimit-te-emigrimit/ Zëri 11 January 2015 18 January 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150118044933/http://www.zeri.info/zerat/14697/sa-eshte-kosto-e-emigranteve-qe-po-leshojne-kosoven-dhe-cila-eshte-mundesia-parandalimit-te-emigrimit/ dead Detected illegal border crossings to the EU from Kosovo numbered 22,069 in 2014 and 23,793 in 2015.https://frontex.europa.eu/assets/Publications/Risk_Analysis/Risk_Analysis/Risk_Analysis_for_2018.pdf Frontex Risk Analysis for 2018 2018 9 March 2020 22 February 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200222175531/https://frontex.europa.eu/assets/Publications/Risk_Analysis/Risk_Analysis/Risk_Analysis_for_2018.pdf live The anti-government protests of 2015 coincided with a surge in migrant numbers.Kosovo helpless to stem exodus of illegal migrants https://www.reuters.com/article/us-kosovo-eu-immigration/kosovo-helpless-to-stem-exodus-of-illegal-migrants-idUSKBN0LA1XH20150206 Reuters 6 February 2015 24 May 2020 31 July 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200731023710/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-kosovo-eu-immigration/kosovo-helpless-to-stem-exodus-of-illegal-migrants-idUSKBN0LA1XH20150206 live Boko Haram insurgency Boko Haram insurgency The Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria has resulted in the deaths of 20,000 people and displaced at least 2 million since 2009.25 January 2018 Nigeria's Boko Haram attacks in numbers – as lethal as ever en-GB BBC News https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-42735414 1 September 2021 1 September 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210901010847/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-42735414 live Around 75,000 Nigerians requested asylum in the EU in 2015 and 2016, around 3 per cent of the total. Means of entry into Europe thumb|upright=2|Mediterranean sea arrivals to Greece and Italy from January 2015 to September 2016, according to UNHCR dataArrivals to Greece, Italy and Spain. January–December 2015 http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/MonthlyTrendsofNationalities-ArrivalstoGreeceItalyandSpain-31December2015.pdf UNHCR 1 February 2016 28 March 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160328233536/http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/MonthlyTrendsofNationalities-ArrivalstoGreeceItalyandSpain-31December2015.pdf live thumb|Island groups of the Aegean Sea In all, over 1 million refugees and migrants crossed the Mediterranean (mostly the Aegean Sea) in 2015, three to four times more than the previous year.Miles Tom 22 December 2015 EU gets one million migrants in 2015, smugglers seen making $1 billion Reuters https://www.reuters.com/article/us-europe-migrants-idUSKBN0U50WI20151222 22 December 2015 22 December 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151222145734/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-europe-migrants-idUSKBN0U50WI20151222 live 80% were fleeing from wars in Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan.3 March 2016 Why is EU struggling with migrants and asylum? BBC News https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-24583286 17 November 2016 23 September 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190923214115/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-24583286 live About 85% of sea arrivals were in Greece (via Turkey) and 15% in Italy (via northern Africa). The European Union's external land borders (e.g., in Greece, Bulgaria or Finland) played only a minor role.22 December 2015 Irregular Migrant, Refugee Arrivals in Europe Top One Million in 2015: IOM IOM https://www.iom.int/news/irregular-migrant-refugee-arrivals-europe-top-one-million-2015-iom 23 December 2015 28 March 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160328233957/https://www.iom.int/news/irregular-migrant-refugee-arrivals-europe-top-one-million-2015-iom live Some also crossed via the Central Mediterranean Sea. This path is a much longer and considerably more dangerous journey than the relatively short trip across the Aegean. As a result, this route was responsible for a large majority of migrant deaths in 2015, even though it was far less used. An estimated 2,889 died in the Central Mediterranean; 731 died in the Aegean sea. The EU Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) uses the terms "illegal" and "irregular" border crossings for crossings of an EU external border but not at an official border-crossing point.March 2016 Risk Analysis for 2016 https://frontex.europa.eu/assets/Publications/Risk_Analysis/Annual_Risk_Analysis_2016.pdf#page=24 Frontex 22 27 March 2020 8 March 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210308194249/https://frontex.europa.eu/assets/Publications/Risk_Analysis/Annual_Risk_Analysis_2016.pdf#page=24 live These include people rescued at sea.March 2016 Risk Analysis for 2016 https://frontex.europa.eu/assets/Publications/Risk_Analysis/Annual_Risk_Analysis_2016.pdf#page=22 Frontex 20 27 March 2020 8 March 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210308194249/https://frontex.europa.eu/assets/Publications/Risk_Analysis/Annual_Risk_Analysis_2016.pdf#page=22 live Because many migrants cross more than one external EU border (for instance when traveling through the Balkans from Greece to Hungary), the total number of irregular EU external border crossings is often higher than the number of irregular migrants arriving in the EU in a year. News media sometimes misrepresent these figures as given by Frontex. Turkey to Greece thumb|Migrants crossing the Aegean Sea from Turkey to the Greek island of Lesbos, January 2016 thumb|upright=1.3636364|A group of Syrian refugees arrive by boat from Turkey to airport area of Mytilini, Lesbos island, Greece, 13 December 2015 Because the refugees entering Europe in 2015 were predominantly from the Middle East, the vast majority first entered the EU by crossing the Aegean Sea from Turkey to Greece by boat; Turkey's land border has been inaccessible to migrants since a border fence was constructed there in 2012.Ledwith Gabriela Baczynska Sara 4 April 2016 How Europe built fences to keep people out en Reuters https://www.reuters.com/article/us-europe-migrants-fences-insight-idUSKCN0X10U7 9 August 2021 9 August 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210809132431/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-europe-migrants-fences-insight-idUSKCN0X10U7 live A number of Greek islands are less than 6 km (4 mi) from the Turkish coast, such as Chios, Kos, Lesbos, Leros, Kastellorizo, Agathonisi, Farmakonisi, Rhodes, Samos and Symi. At one point, incoming refugees on some of these islands outnumbered locals.20 February 2016 Refugees and migrants outnumber Kastelorizo's residents Protothema http://en.protothema.gr/refugees-and-migrants-outnumber-kastelorizos-residents/ 24 February 2016 3 March 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160303223526/http://en.protothema.gr/refugees-and-migrants-outnumber-kastelorizos-residents/ live A small number of people (34,000 or 3% of the total) used Turkey's land borders with Greece or Bulgaria. From Greece, most tried to make their way toward through the Balkans to Central and Northern Europe.Beauchamp Zack 27 September 2015 The Syrian refugee crisis, explained in one map https://www.vox.com/2015/9/27/9394959/syria-refugee-map 8 July 2021 Vox en 9 July 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210709184558/https://www.vox.com/2015/9/27/9394959/syria-refugee-map live This represented a stark change to the previous year, when most refugees and migrants landed in Italy from northern Africa. In fact, in the first half of 2015, Italy was, as in previous years, the most common landing point for refugees entering the EU, especially the southern Sicilian island of Lampedusa. By June, however, Greece overtook Italy in the number of arrivals and became the starting point of a flow of refugees and migrants moving through Balkan countries to Northern European countries, particularly Germany and Sweden. By the end of 2015, about 80% of migrants had landed in Greece, compared to only 15% in Italy. Greece appealed to the European Union for assistance; the UNCHR European Director Vincent Cochetel said facilities for migrants on the Greek islands were "totally inadequate" and the islands were in "total chaos".7 August 2015 Migrant 'chaos' on Greek islands – UN refugee agency BBC News https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-33818193 28 August 2015 24 August 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150824214637/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-33818193 live Frontex's Operation Poseidon, aimed at patrolling the Aegean Sea, was underfunded and undermanned, with only 11 coastal patrol vessels, one ship, two helicopters, two aircraft, and a budget of €18 million.Pop Valentina 7 August 2015 Greek Government Holds Emergency Meeting Over Soaring Migrant Arrivals The Wall Street Journal https://www.wsj.com/articles/greek-government-holds-emergency-meeting-over-soaring-migrant-arrivals-1438959148 19 August 2015 19 August 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150819035937/http://www.wsj.com/articles/greek-government-holds-emergency-meeting-over-soaring-migrant-arrivals-1438959148 live A section of northeastern Croatia is believed to contain up to 60,000 unexploded land mines from the Croatian War of Independence in the 1990s. Refugees were feared to be at risk of unknowingly detonating some of these minefields as they crossed the area. However, there were no reported cases of this happening in 2015 or 2016.16 September 2015 Migrant crisis: Croatia mines warning after border crossing en-GB BBC News https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34268043 16 July 2021 16 July 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210716141011/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34268043 live Northern Africa to Italy The number of people making the considerably more dangerous sea journey from northern Africa to Italy was comparatively low at around 150,000. Most of the refugees and migrants taking this route came from African countries, especially Eritrea, Nigeria, and Somalia.Statistiche immigrazione http://www.libertaciviliimmigrazione.interno.it/dipim/site/it/documentazione/statistiche/servizi_civili/2016/1_2016_Statistiche_2015_sbarchix_esiti_domande_di_asilo_e_posti_in_strutture_accoglienza.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20160328233432/http://www.libertaciviliimmigrazione.interno.it/dipim/site/it/documentazione/statistiche/servizi_civili/2016/1_2016_Statistiche_2015_sbarchix_esiti_domande_di_asilo_e_posti_in_strutture_accoglienza.html 28 March 2016 Italian Ministry of the Interior At least 2,889 people died during the journey. Other routes A few other routes were also used by some refugees, although they were comparatively low in number. One such route was entering Finland or Norway via Russia; on a few days Arctic border stations in these countries saw several hundred "irregular" border crossings per day.Szymański Piotr Żochowski Piotr Rodkiewicz Witold 6 April 2016 Enforced cooperation: the Finnish-Russian migration crisis https://www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacje/analyses/2016-04-06/enforced-cooperation-finnish-russian-migration-crisis live 16 July 2021 Centre for Eastern Studies en https://web.archive.org/web/20160413095659/http://www.osw.waw.pl:80/en/publikacje/analyses/2016-04-06/enforced-cooperation-finnish-russian-migration-crisis 13 April 2016 Norway recorded around 6,000 refugees crossing its northern border in 2015.Pancevsky Bojan 4 September 2016 Norway builds Arctic border fence as it gives migrants the cold shoulder The Times of London https://www.thetimes.com/article/norway-builds-arctic-border-fence-as-it-gives-migrants-the-cold-shoulder-hf37jlwqq 6 September 2016 4 September 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160904035536/http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/norway-builds-arctic-border-fence-as-it-gives-migrants-the-cold-shoulder-hf37jlwqq live Because it is illegal to drive from Russia to Norway without a permit, and crossing on foot is prohibited, some used a legal loophole and made the crossing by bicycle.Osborne Samuel 25 August 2016 Norway to build border fence with Russia to keep out refugees The Independent https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/norway-border-fence-russia-refugees-refugee-crisis-schengen-syria-war-a7208806.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/norway-border-fence-russia-refugees-refugee-crisis-schengen-syria-war-a7208806.html 1 May 2022 subscription liveHovland Kjetil Malkenes 3 September 2015 Syrian Refugees Take Arctic Route to Europe More than 150 refugees have entered Norway from Arctic Russia this year The Wall Street Journal https://www.wsj.com/articles/syrian-refugees-take-arctic-route-to-europe-1441273767 6 September 2016 19 September 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160919134058/http://www.wsj.com/articles/syrian-refugees-take-arctic-route-to-europe-1441273767 live A year later in 2016, Norway built a short 200 m fence at the Storskog border crossing,24 August 2016 Norway Will Build a Fence at Its Arctic Border With Russia The New York Times Reuters https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/25/world/europe/russia-norway-border-fence-refugees.html 6 September 2016 28 August 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160828033432/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/25/world/europe/russia-norway-border-fence-refugees.html? live although it was viewed as a mostly symbolic measure.Roos Dave 25 January 2019 Norway's Ridiculously Short Border Fence https://history.howstuffworks.com/european-history/norways-ridiculously-short-border-fence.htm live 9 August 2021 HowStuffWorks en https://web.archive.org/web/20190126062540/https://history.howstuffworks.com/european-history/norways-ridiculously-short-border-fence.htm 26 January 2019 Some observers argued that the Russian government facilitated the influx in an attempt to warn European leaders against maintaining sanctions imposed after Russia's annexation of Crimea.de Carbonnel Alissa 20 November 2015 A (Very) Cold War on the Russia-Norway Border https://foreignpolicy.com/2015/11/20/a-very-cold-war-on-the-russia-norway-border-syrian-refugees-bicycles/ live 16 July 2021 Foreign Policy en https://web.archive.org/web/20151120114242/http://foreignpolicy.com/2015/11/20/a-very-cold-war-on-the-russia-norway-border-syrian-refugees-bicycles/ 20 November 2015 In January 2016, a Russian border guard admitted that the Russian Federal Security Service was enabling migrants to enter Finland.24 January 2016 Russian border guard to STT: Russian security service behind northeast asylum traffic YLE https://yle.fi/uutiset/osasto/news/russian_border_guard_to_stt_russian_security_service_behind_northeast_asylum_traffic/8620174 13 December 2017 13 December 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20171213201840/https://yle.fi/uutiset/osasto/news/russian_border_guard_to_stt_russian_security_service_behind_northeast_asylum_traffic/8620174 live Role of smugglers Asylum seekers are usually required to be physically present in the EU country where they wish to request asylum. However, there are few formal ways to allow them to reach Europe for this purpose.Burris Scott 12 September 2015 Why Do Refugees Risk the Deadly Boat Crossing to Europe? It's the Law https://blog.petrieflom.law.harvard.edu/2015/09/12/why-do-refugees-risk-the-deadly-boat-crossing-to-europe-its-the-law/ Bill of Health 29 July 2020 29 July 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200729101152/https://blog.petrieflom.law.harvard.edu/2015/09/12/why-do-refugees-risk-the-deadly-boat-crossing-to-europe-its-the-law/ live For that reason, many asylum seekers paid smugglers for advice, logistical help and transportation through Europe, especially for sea crossings. Human traffickers charged $1,000 to $1,500 (€1000 FRA 2015 yes – €1500 FRA 2015 yes) for the 25-minute boat ride from Bodrum, Turkey to Kos.Yeginsu Ceylan 16 August 2015 Amid Perilous Mediterranean Crossings, Migrants Find a Relatively Easy Path to Greece The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/17/world/europe/turkey-greece-mediterranean-kos-bodrum-migrants-refugees.html 16 August 2015 17 August 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150817020220/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/17/world/europe/turkey-greece-mediterranean-kos-bodrum-migrants-refugees.html live An onward journey to Germany which would not necessarily involve smugglers was estimated to cost €3,000 – €4,000. A journey to Britain was estimated to cost €10,000 – €12,000. Airplane tickets directly from Turkey to Germany or Britain would have been far cheaper and safer, but the EU requires airlines flying into the Schengen Area to check that passengers have a visa or are exempted from carrying one (these rules are referred to as "carrier responsibility").Purtill Corinne This airline wants to safely fly refugees into Europe. Here's why it needs to exist https://qz.com/510989/this-airline-wants-to-safely-fly-refugees-into-europe-heres-why-it-needs-to-exist/ 18 July 2021 Quartz 25 September 2015 en 18 July 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210718062347/https://qz.com/510989/this-airline-wants-to-safely-fly-refugees-into-europe-heres-why-it-needs-to-exist/ live This prevented would-be migrants without a visa from being allowed on aircraft, boats, or trains entering the Schengen Area, and caused them to resort to smugglers.30 October 2015 Refugee crisis: Smugglers offer 'bad weather discount' to migrants willing to make winter Mediterranean crossing https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/refugee-crisis-smugglers-offer-discount-refugees-willing-cross-bad-weather-1526441 28 August 2021 International Business Times UK en 28 August 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210828223910/https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/refugee-crisis-smugglers-offer-discount-refugees-willing-cross-bad-weather-1526441 live Humanitarian visas are generally not given to refugees who want to apply for asylum.16 November 2015 Europe's Refugee Crisis https://www.hrw.org/report/2015/11/16/europes-refugee-crisis/agenda-action 28 August 2021 Human Rights Watch en 5 November 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211105044918/https://www.hrw.org/report/2015/11/16/europes-refugee-crisis/agenda-action live In September 2015, Europol estimated there were 30,000 suspected migrant smugglers operating in and around Europe. By the end of 2016, this number had increased to 55,000. 63 per cent of the smugglers were from Europe, 14 per cent from the Middle East, 13 per cent from Africa, nine per cent from Asia (excluding the Middle East) and one per cent from the Americas.Carmichael Lachlan EU tracking 65,000 migrant smugglers: Europol The Citizen https://citizen.co.za/news/news-africa/1879124/europe-migrants-smugglers/ 29 April 2018 29 April 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180429225441/https://citizen.co.za/news/news-africa/1879124/europe-migrants-smugglers/ live On several occasions, unscrupulous smugglers caused the deaths of the people they were transporting, particularly by using poorly-maintained and overfilled boats and refusing to provide life jackets.15 August 2015 40 migrants 'killed by fumes' in hold of boat off Libya Irish Independent http://www.independent.ie/world-news/africa/40-migrants-killed-by-fumes-in-hold-of-boat-off-libya-31453815.html 17 August 2015 17 August 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150817084828/http://www.independent.ie/world-news/africa/40-migrants-killed-by-fumes-in-hold-of-boat-off-libya-31453815.html live At least 3771 refugees and migrants drowned in the Mediterranean Sea in 2015. A single shipwreck near Lampedusa in April accounted for around 800 deaths.22 April 2015 The Mediterranean's deadly migrant routes en-GB BBC News https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-32387224 11 July 2021 11 July 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210711055629/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-32387224 live Apart from drownings, the deadliest incident occurred on 27 August 2015, when 71 people were found dead in an unventilated food truck near Vienna.http://www.wienerzeitung.at/nachrichten/oesterreich/chronik/771233_Mehr-als-70-Tote-bei-Fluechtlingsdrama-auf-der-A4.html Vier Kinder unter den 71 Toten von Parndorf Wz Online, Apa wienerzeitung.at 28 August 2015 3 October 2015 de 5 October 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151005025612/http://www.wienerzeitung.at/nachrichten/oesterreich/chronik/771233_Mehr-als-70-Tote-bei-Fluechtlingsdrama-auf-der-A4.html live ; See also: 'Refugee tragedy near Parndorf' article on German Wikipedia Eleven of the smugglers responsible were later arrested and charged with murder and homicide in Hungary. The charges and trial took place in Hungary as authorities determined that the deaths had occurred there.21 June 2017 Trial starts for men charged with freezer truck deaths of 71 migrants Deutsche Welle https://www.dw.com/en/trial-starts-for-men-charged-with-freezer-truck-deaths-of-71-migrants/a-39343045 12 July 2021 12 July 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210712033721/https://www.dw.com/en/trial-starts-for-men-charged-with-freezer-truck-deaths-of-71-migrants/a-39343045 live The Mafia Capitale investigation revealed that the Italian Mafia profited from the migrant crisis and exploited refugees.Politi James 25 July 2015 Italy's Mafia learns to profit from the migration crisis Financial Times https://www.ft.com/content/0d0371d0-31f4-11e5-8873-775ba7c2ea3d 18 July 2021 18 July 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210718030715/https://www.ft.com/content/0d0371d0-31f4-11e5-8873-775ba7c2ea3d liveRyan Rosanna 29 June 2015 'Bigger than drugs': how the Mafia profits from the Mediterranean migrant crisis https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/latenightlive/how-the-mafia-profits-from-the-mediterranean-migrant-crisis/6573084 18 July 2021 ABC Radio National en-AU 18 July 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210718030714/https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/latenightlive/how-the-mafia-profits-from-the-mediterranean-migrant-crisis/6573084 live Peak of the crisis Timeline of the 2015 European migrant crisis Migrant and refugee arrivals in the EU, 2015-16.chart Migrant and refugee arrivals in the EU, 2015-16.tab 450px yes Migrant and refugee arrivals in the EU, 2015–16.Detections of illegal border-crossings statistics https://frontex.europa.eu/we-know/migratory-map/ 2 July 2021 Frontex 10 July 2021 9 July 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210709185731/https://frontex.europa.eu/we-know/migratory-map/ live Defined as monthly "irregular border crossings" into the EU. The net number of refugees entering the EU is considerably lower because many migrants were double-counted as "illegally crossing an EU border": first when arriving in Greece, and again when entering the EU for the second time through Hungary or Croatia.Nielsen Nikolaj Frontex double counts migrants entering EU https://euobserver.com/migration/130661 18 July 2021 EUobserver 13 October 2015 18 July 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210718235504/https://euobserver.com/migration/130661 live Gradual surge in early 2015 The first half of 2015 saw around 230,000 people enter the EU. The most common points of entry were Italy and Greece.Clayton Jonathan Holland Hereward 30 December 2015 Over one million sea arrivals reach Europe in 2015 https://www.unhcr.org/news/latest/2015/12/5683d0b56/million-sea-arrivals-reach-europe-2015.html 11 July 2021 UNHCR en 20 June 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210620014943/https://www.unhcr.org/news/latest/2015/12/5683d0b56/million-sea-arrivals-reach-europe-2015.html live From there, arrivals either applied for asylum directly or attempted to travel to Northern and Western European countries, mostly by traveling through the Balkans and re-entering the EU through Hungary or Croatia. Hungary was required by EU law to register them as asylum seekers and attempted to prevent them from traveling on to other EU countries.April 2023 At the same time, Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán began using fear of immigration as a domestic political campaign issueJudy Dempsey 25 September 2015 Understanding Central Europe's Opposition to Refugees https://carnegieeurope.eu/strategiceurope/61404 10 July 2021 Carnegie Europe en 10 July 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210710144746/https://carnegieeurope.eu/strategiceurope/61404 live"'People in Europe are full of fear' over refugee influx https://web.archive.org/web/20150920092841/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/hungarys-leader-to-migrants-please-dont-come/2015/09/03/d5244c6d-53d8-4e82-b9d7-35ec41ca2944_story.html 20 September 2015 ". The Washington Post. 3 September 2015. and stated his opposition to accepting long-term refugees.28 January 2016 Big, bad Visegrad The Economist https://www.economist.com/europe/2016/01/28/big-bad-visegrad 10 July 2021 0013-0613 10 July 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210710144746/https://www.economist.com/europe/2016/01/28/big-bad-visegrad live By August 2015, Hungary housed about 150,000 refugeesElgot Jessica 31 August 2015 Austria defends border checks amid migration crisis http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/aug/31/austria-defends-border-checks-amid-migration-crisis 11 July 2021 The Guardian en 12 July 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210712191224/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/aug/31/austria-defends-border-checks-amid-migration-crisis live in makeshift camps.11 September 2015 Migrant crisis: People treated 'like animals' in Hungary camp en-GB BBC News https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34216883 11 July 2021 9 July 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210709193158/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34216883 live Many had little desire to stay in Hungary; due to the government's unwelcoming stance, squalid conditions in the camps, and their poor prospects of being allowed to stay.Hartocollis Anemona 5 September 2015 Why Migrants Don't Want to Stay in Hungary en-US The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/projects/cp/reporters-notebook/migrants/hungary-treatment-refugees 11 July 2021 0362-4331 11 July 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210711052449/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/projects/cp/reporters-notebook/migrants/hungary-treatment-refugees live Over the course of 2015 and 2016, almost everyone who had lodged an asylum claim in Hungary left the country.Nagy Boldizsár Hungarian Asylum Law and Policy in 2015–2016: Securitization Instead of Loyal Cooperation German Law Journal November 2016 17 6 1033–1082 10.1017/S2071832200021581 https://euaa.europa.eu/sites/default/files/public/Description-of-the-Hungarian-asylum-system-18-May-final.pdf Description of the Hungarian asylum system European Asylum Support Office 32 en On 21 August 2015, the German Federal Office for Migration and Refugees was overwhelmed. This was attributed to the sheer mass of incoming asylum applications, the inherent complexity of determining whether applicants had previously claimed asylum in another EU country, and that almost all asylum applications by Syrians were being granted anywayApril 2023 Due to their lack of capacity to process applications the German office suspended the Dublin Regulation for Syrians.Holehouse Matthew 24 August 2015 Germany drops EU rules to allow in Syrian refugees The Telegraph https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/germany/11821822/Germany-drops-EU-rules-to-allow-in-Syrian-refugees.html 17 July 2019 12 June 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170612103828/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/germany/11821822/Germany-drops-EU-rules-to-allow-in-Syrian-refugees.html live 25 August 2015 Germany suspends 'Dublin rules' for Syrians DW https://www.dw.com/en/germany-suspends-dublin-rules-for-syrians/a-18671698 6 May 2021 6 May 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210506175545/https://www.dw.com/en/germany-suspends-dublin-rules-for-syrians/a-18671698 live Interpreting this to mean that Germany would begin accepting larger numbers of refugees many immigrants attempted to reach Germany from Hungary and southeastern Europe.Schönhagen Ulrich Herbert Jakob Vor dem 5. September. Die "Flüchtlingskrise" 2015 im historischen Kontext APuZ https://www.bpb.de/apuz/312832/vor-dem-5-september-die-fluechtlingskrise-2015-im-historischen-kontext 11 July 2021 bpb.de 17 July 2020 de 19 June 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210619212657/https://www.bpb.de/apuz/312832/vor-dem-5-september-die-fluechtlingskrise-2015-im-historischen-kontext live They were met with a warm reception from the German crowds.Emma Graham-Harrison 5 September 2015 Cheering German crowds greet refugees after long trek from Budapest to Munich The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/sep/05/refugee-crisis-warm-welcome-for-people-bussed-from-budapest 24 October 2015 20 October 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151020023030/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/sep/05/refugee-crisis-warm-welcome-for-people-bussed-from-budapest live September–November 2015: peak of the crisis Germany accepts refugees stranded in Hungary thumb|Refugees at Vienna's Westbahnhof railway station, 5 September 2015 thumb|Newly arrived refugees in Germany, October 2015 On 1 September, Hungarian government closed outbound rail traffic from Budapest's Keleti station, which many refugees were using to travel to Austria and Germany.Nolan Daniel Connolly Kate 1 September 2015 Hungary closes main Budapest station to refugees http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/sep/01/migrant-crisis-hungary-closes-main-budapest-station live 23 July 2021 The Guardian en https://web.archive.org/web/20150902042054/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/sep/01/migrant-crisis-hungary-closes-main-budapest-station 2 September 2015 Within days, a massive buildup of people had formed at the station. On 4 September, several thousand set off to make the 150 km journey towards Austria on foot, at which point the Hungarian government relented and no longer tried to stop them. In an effort to force the Austrian and German governments' hands, Hungary chartered buses to the Austrian border for both those walking and those who had stayed behind at the station.Graham-Harrison Emma Henley Jon 4 September 2015 Hungary to take thousands of refugees to Austrian border by bus http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/sep/04/hundreds-refugees-march-austria-budapest-hungary-syrians live 23 July 2021 The Guardian en https://web.archive.org/web/20150905114719/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/sep/04/hundreds-refugees-march-austria-budapest-hungary-syrians 5 September 2015 Unwilling to resort to violence to keep them out, and faced with a potential humanitarian crisis if the huge numbers languished in Hungary indefinitely,6 September 2015 Migrant crisis: Activist convoy drives to Hungary en-GB BBC News https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34166882 23 July 2021 23 July 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210723055235/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34166882 live Germany and Austria jointly announced on 4 September that they would allow the migrants to cross their borders and apply for asylum.5 September 2015 Migrant crisis: Austria to let people in from Hungary en-GB BBC News https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34159780 23 July 2021 13 May 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210513162054/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34159780 liveThe Latest: Austria, Germany to accept bused migrants https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/the-latest-austria-germany-to-accept-bused-migrants/ar-AAdWjak?li=BBgzzfc&ocid=iehp dead https://web.archive.org/web/20151015140038/http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/the-latest-austria-germany-to-accept-bused-migrants/ar-AAdWjak?li=BBgzzfc&ocid=iehp 15 October 2015 5 September 2015 MSN Across Germany, crowds formed at train stations to applaud and welcome the arrivals.6 September 2015 Germans welcome thousands of newly arrived refugees http://www.dw.com/en/germans-welcome-thousands-of-newly-arrived-refugees/a-18696722 Deutsche Welle 6 September 2015 8 September 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200908024110/https://www.dw.com/en/germans-welcome-thousands-of-newly-arrived-refugees/a-18696722 live In the following three months, an estimated 550,000 people entered Germany to apply for asylum, around half the total for the entire year.18 June 2021 Asylanträge in Deutschland bpb https://www.bpb.de/gesellschaft/migration/flucht/zahlen-zu-asyl/265708/asylantraege-und-asylsuchende live 26 July 2021 Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung de https://web.archive.org/web/20190925195704/http://www.bpb.de:80/gesellschaft/migration/flucht/zahlen-zu-asyl/265708/asylantraege-und-asylsuchende 25 September 2019 Though under pressure from conservative politicians, the German government refused to set an upper limit to the number of asylum applications it would accept, with Angela Merkel arguing that the "fundamental right to seek refuge...from the hell of war knows no limit."Bröcker Michael Quadbeck Eva 11 September 2015 Interview mit Bundeskanzlerin Angela Merkel: "Grundrecht auf Asyl kennt keine Obergrenze" https://rp-online.de/politik/deutschland/angela-merkel-das-grundrecht-auf-asyl-kennt-keine-obergrenze_aid-9533771 live 12 July 2021 Rheinische Post de https://web.archive.org/web/20190208071052/https://rp-online.de/politik/deutschland/angela-merkel-das-grundrecht-auf-asyl-kennt-keine-obergrenze_aid-9533771 8 February 2019 She famously declared her confidence that Germany could cope with the situation with "wir schaffen das" (roughly, "we can manage this"). This phrase quickly became a symbol of her government's refugee policy.Livingstone Emmet 17 September 2016 Angela Merkel drops the 'we can do it' slogan https://www.politico.eu/article/angela-merkel-drops-the-we-can-do-it-slogan-catchphrase-migration-refugees/ 19 August 2022 Politico en-US 19 August 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220819083509/https://www.politico.eu/article/angela-merkel-drops-the-we-can-do-it-slogan-catchphrase-migration-refugees/ live Chaotic border closures in central Europe Within ten days of Germany's decision to accept the refugees in Hungary, the sudden influx had overwhelmed many of the major refugee processing and accommodation centres in Germany and the country began enacting border controls13 September 2015 Deutschland will Grenzen dicht machen https://www.dw.com/de/deutschland-will-grenzen-dicht-machen/a-18712045 live 24 July 2021 Deutsche Welle de https://web.archive.org/web/20150915234418/http://www.dw.com:80/de/deutschland-will-grenzen-dicht-machen/a-18712045 15 September 2015 and allowing people to file asylum applications directly at the Austrian border.Wo sind Deutschlands Grenzen? https://www.haz.de/Nachrichten/Politik/Deutschland-Welt/Fluechtlingskrise-Wo-sind-Deutschlands-Grenzen live 26 July 2021 Hannoversche Allgemeine de https://web.archive.org/web/20210726013345/https://www.haz.de/Nachrichten/Politik/Deutschland-Welt/Fluechtlingskrise-Wo-sind-Deutschlands-Grenzen 26 July 2021 Although Austria also accepted some asylum seekers, for a time the country effectively became a distribution centre to Germany, slowing and regulating their transit into Germany and providing temporary housing, food and health care.Palko Karasz Barbara Surk 22 September 2015 Austria Takes Role of Distribution Center for Germany-Bound Migrants The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/22/world/europe/austria-takes-on-role-of-distribution-center-for-migrants.html 22 September 2015 24 September 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150924002408/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/22/world/europe/austria-takes-on-role-of-distribution-center-for-migrants.html live On some days, Austria took in up to 10,000 Germany-bound migrants arriving from Slovenia and Hungary.Sewell Chan Palko Karasz 19 September 2015 Thousands of Migrants Flood into Austria The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/20/world/europe/thousands-flood-into-austria-as-refugees-are-bounced-around-europe.html 20 September 2015 20 September 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150920045536/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/20/world/europe/thousands-flood-into-austria-as-refugees-are-bounced-around-europe.html live Germany's imposition of border controls had a domino effect on countries to Germany's southeast, as Austria and Slovakia successively enacted their own border controls.Melissa Eddy Dan Bilefsky 14 September 2015 Austria, Slovakia and the Netherlands Introduce Border Controls The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/15/world/europe/europe-migrants-germany.html 14 September 2015 14 September 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150914162408/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/15/world/europe/europe-migrants-germany.html live17 September 2015 Slovenia Reinstating Controls at Border with Hungary http://www.sloveniatimes.com/slovenia-reinstating-controls-at-border-with-hungary live 19 September 2015 Slovenia Times https://web.archive.org/web/20150921091012/http://www.sloveniatimes.com:80/slovenia-reinstating-controls-at-border-with-hungary 21 September 2015 Hungary closed its border with Serbia entirely with a fence that had been under construction for several months, forcing migrants to pass through Croatia and Slovenia instead.Rick Lyman 16 October 2015 Hungary to Close Its Border With Croatia in Migrant Crackdown The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/17/world/europe/hungary-croatia-refugees-migrants.html 16 October 2015 16 October 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151016201848/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/17/world/europe/hungary-croatia-refugees-migrants.html live Croatia tried to force them back into Hungary, which responded with military force.Kingsley Patrick Graham-Harrison Emma 19 September 2015 UN warns European unity at risk as borders close to refugees http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/sep/19/refugees-croatia-hungary-borders-europe 11 July 2021 The Guardian en 14 July 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210714153905/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/sep/19/refugees-croatia-hungary-borders-europe live Croatian and Hungarian leaders each blamed each other for the situation and engaged in a bitter back-and-forth about what to do about the tens of thousands of stranded people. Three days later, Croatia likewise closed its border with Serbia to avoid becoming a transit country.18 September 2015 Migrant crisis: Croatia closes border crossings with Serbia en-GB BBC News https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34286432 11 July 2021 19 August 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210819095618/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34286432 live Slovenia kept its borders open, although it did limit the flow of people, resulting in occasionally violent clashes with police.18 September 2015 The Latest: Slovenian police pepper spray migrants at border https://www.chicagotribune.com/nation-world/sns-bc-eu--europe-migrants-the-latest-20150918-story.html live 20 July 2021 Chicago Tribune Associated Press https://web.archive.org/web/20210720051300/https://www.chicagotribune.com/nation-world/sns-bc-eu--europe-migrants-the-latest-20150918-story.html 20 July 2021 In October, Hungary also closed its border with Croatia, making Slovenia the only remaining way to reach Austria and Germany. Croatia reopened its own border to Serbia19 October 2015 Migrant crisis: Croatia opens Serbia border en-GB BBC News https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34576045 9 August 2021 22 July 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210722071024/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34576045 live and together with Slovenia began permitting migrants to pass through, providing buses and temporary accommodation en route. Slovenia did impose a limit of 2,500 people per day, which initially stranded thousands of migrants in Croatia, Serbia and North Macedonia.18 October 2015 Thousands of Migrants Surge into Slovenia in New Route The New York Times Associated Press https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2015/10/17/world/europe/ap-eu-europe-migrants.html 18 October 2015 20 October 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151020044256/http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2015/10/17/world/europe/ap-eu-europe-migrants.html? liveRadul Radovanovic 18 October 2015 Thousands stranded on new migrant route through Europe https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/thousands-stranded-on-new-migrant-route-through-europe/ar-AAfAX74?li=AAa0dzB&ocid=mailsignout dead https://web.archive.org/web/20151117031158/http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/thousands-stranded-on-new-migrant-route-through-europe/ar-AAfAX74?li=AAa0dzB&ocid=mailsignout 17 November 2015 18 October 2015 Associated Press, MSN In November, Slovenia began erecting temporary fences along the border to direct the flow of people to formal border crossings.Slovenian troops start erecting border fence :: Prvi interaktivni multimedijski portal, MMC RTV Slovenija http://www.rtvslo.si/news-in-english/slovenian-troops-start-erecting-border-fence/378397 11 November 2015 rtvslo.si 24 February 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240224122425/https://www.rtvslo.si/news-in-english/slovenia-putting-up-fence-along-border-with-croatia-to-control-migrant-flow/378397 live Several countries, such as Hungary,10 September 2015 Migrant crisis: Hungarian army stages border protection exercise BBC News https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34205849 19 September 2015 12 September 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150912191738/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34205849 live Slovenia23 February 2016 Slovenia deploys army to Schengen zone border to tackle refugee influx https://www.dw.com/en/slovenia-deploys-army-to-schengen-zone-border-to-tackle-refugee-influx/a-19066844 live 21 July 2021 Deutsche Welle en https://web.archive.org/web/20160224101922/http://www.dw.com/en/slovenia-deploys-army-to-schengen-zone-border-to-tackle-refugee-influx/a-19066844 24 February 2016 and Austria,14 September 2015 Austria deploys army to impose border controls https://www.france24.com/en/20150914-austria-deploy-army-introduce-tougher-border-controls-migrants live 21 July 2021 France 24 en https://web.archive.org/web/20150914225528/http://www.france24.com/en/20150914-austria-deploy-army-introduce-tougher-border-controls-migrants 14 September 2015 authorized their armies to secure their borders or repel migrants; some passed legislation specifically to give armed forces more powers.21 October 2015 Slovenia gives army more power amid migrant crisis Access to the comments Euronews https://www.euronews.com/2015/10/21/slovenia-gives-army-more-power-amid-migrant-crisis 21 July 2021 21 July 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210721043700/https://www.euronews.com/2015/10/21/slovenia-gives-army-more-power-amid-migrant-crisis live EU officials generally reacted with dismay at the border closures, warning that they undermined the mutual trust and freedom of movement that the bloc was founded on and risked returning to a pre-1990s arrangement of costly border controls and mistrust. The European Commission warned EU members against steps that contravene EU treaties and urged members like Hungary to find other ways to cope with an influx of refugees and migrants.EU Warns Against New 'Walls' As Hungary Plans Fence on Serbia Border Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty 18 June 2015 http://www.rferl.mobi/a/european-commission-hungary-serbia-wall-fence-illegal-migrants/27079829.html 28 August 2015 RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty 9 December 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151209154831/http://www.rferl.mobi/a/european-commission-hungary-serbia-wall-fence-illegal-migrants/27079829.html live As winter set in, refugee numbers decreased, although they were still many times higher than in the previous year. In January and February 2016, over 123,000 migrants landed in Greece, compared to about 4,600 in the same period of 2015.LARRY BUCHANAN SERGIO PEÇANHA 11 March 2016 Europe Tries to Shut Down Routes as Migrant Flow Intensifies The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/03/11/world/europe/europe-tries-to-shut-down-routes-as-migrant-flow-intensifies.html 13 March 2016 13 March 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160313035020/http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/03/11/world/europe/europe-tries-to-shut-down-routes-as-migrant-flow-intensifies.html live Refugees in Sweden Sweden took in over 160,000 refugees in 2015, more per capita than any other country in Europe (other than Turkey). Well over half of these came to Sweden in October and November.9 March 2017 How did Sweden handle the 2015 refugee crisis? – Radio Sweden https://sverigesradio.se/artikel/6648312 live 28 July 2021 Radio Sweden en https://web.archive.org/web/20210728094525/https://sverigesradio.se/artikel/6648312 28 July 2021 Most entered Sweden by traveling through Germany and then Denmark; few wanted to apply for asylum in Denmark because of its comparatively harsh conditions for asylum seekers.9 September 2015 Migrant crisis: Denmark-Germany rail links suspended en-GB BBC News https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34203366 28 July 2021 14 September 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210914115752/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34203366 live There were occasionally scuffles as Danish police tried to register some of the arrivals, as they were technically required to do according to EU rules.Melissa Eddy 9 September 2015 Migrant Tide Bringing Out Europe's Best and Worst The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/10/world/europe/migrants-refugee-tensions-in-europe.html 9 September 2015 10 September 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150910045119/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/10/world/europe/migrants-refugee-tensions-in-europe.html liveMelissa Eddy 9 September 2015 Motorvej spærret i begge retninger: Flygtninge går fra Padborg mod Sverige TV2 News Denmark http://nyhederne.tv2.dk/krimi/2015-09-09-motorvej-spaerret-i-begge-retninger-flygtninge-gaar-fra-padborg-mod-sverige 19 November 2015 20 November 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151120064932/http://nyhederne.tv2.dk/krimi/2015-09-09-motorvej-spaerret-i-begge-retninger-flygtninge-gaar-fra-padborg-mod-sverige live In early September, Denmark temporarily closed rail and road border crossings with Germany."Migrant crisis: Denmark-Germany rail links suspended https://web.archive.org/web/20231010120830/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34203366 10 October 2023 ". BBC News. 9 September 2015. After initial uncertainty surrounding the rules, Denmark allowed most of the people wishing to travel on to Sweden to do so.7 October 2015 Overblik: Det skete da flygtningestrømmen nåede Danmark Jyllands-Posten http://jyllands-posten.dk/politik/ECE8091454/Overblik%3A+Det+skete+da+flygtningestr%C3%B8mmen+n%C3%A5ede+Danmark/ dead 19 November 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151014024126/http://jyllands-posten.dk/politik/ECE8091454/Overblik%3A+Det+skete+da+flygtningestr%C3%B8mmen+n%C3%A5ede+Danmark/ 14 October 2015 In the five weeks following 6 September, approximately 28,800 refugees and migrants crossed the Danish borders, 3,500 of whom applied for asylum in Denmark; the rest continued to other Nordic countries.Jonas Hamidavi R. Moestrup 12 October 2015 28.800 flygtninge og migranter er kommet til Danmark på fem uger TV2 News Denmark http://nyhederne.tv2.dk/2015-10-12-28800-flygtninge-og-migranter-er-kommet-til-danmark-paa-fem-uger 19 November 2015 20 November 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151120100729/http://nyhederne.tv2.dk/2015-10-12-28800-flygtninge-og-migranter-er-kommet-til-danmark-paa-fem-uger live In November 2015, Sweden reintroduced border controls at the Danish border, although this did not reduce the number of arrivals as they still had the right to apply for asylum.22 December 2015 Migrant crisis: Sweden operator cancels trains on bridge link en-GB BBC News https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-35159183 28 August 2021 23 August 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210823174456/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-35159183 live Within hours of Swedish border control becoming effective, Denmark instituted border controls at the German border.4 January 2016 Färre än 100 nobbade på Kastrup Sydsvenskan http://www.sydsvenskan.se/sverige/inga-koer-vid-kritiserade-kontrollen/ 5 January 2016 7 January 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160107035736/http://www.sydsvenskan.se/sverige/inga-koer-vid-kritiserade-kontrollen/ live Some bypassed the border controls by taking a ferry to Trelleborg instead of the train to Hyllie,5 January 2016 Bara 48 asylsökande till Skåne under måndagen Sydsvenskan http://www.sydsvenskan.se/sverige/bara-48-asylsokande-till-skane-under-mandagen/ 5 January 2016 29 January 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160129161308/http://www.sydsvenskan.se/sverige/bara-48-asylsokande-till-skane-under-mandagen/ live The border controls were never fully lifted before the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, which saw renewed border closures throughout Europe. Diplomatic incidents In October 2015, the Slovenian government accused Croatian police of helping migrants bypass Slovene border controls and released a night time thermovision video allegedly documenting the event. Slovenian police helicopter films Croatian police officers directing migrants to Slovenia across the green border and the Sotla river http://www.policija.si/eng/index.php/component/content/article/13-news/1739-slovenian-police-helicopter-films-croatian-police-officers-directing-migrants-to-slovenia-across-the-green-border-and-the-sotla-river policija.si 24 October 2015 17 November 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151117033057/http://www.policija.si/eng/index.php/component/content/article/13-news/1739-slovenian-police-helicopter-films-croatian-police-officers-directing-migrants-to-slovenia-across-the-green-border-and-the-sotla-river dead Šefic: Croatian travesty on inhuman Slovenians :: Prvi interaktivni multimedijski portal, MMC RTV Slovenija https://www.rtvslo.si/news-in-english/sefic-croatian-travesty-on-inhuman-slovenians/376964 rtvslo.si 24 October 2015 24 October 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151024062445/http://www.rtvslo.si/news-in-english/sefic-croatian-travesty-on-inhuman-slovenians/376964 live Housing conditions After inspecting a refugee camp in Traiskirchen, Austria, in August 2015, Amnesty International noted inhabitants were receiving insufficient medical care and claimed Austria was "violating human rights".Traiskirchen Symptom systematischer Mängel im Umgang mit Asylwerbern https://www.amnesty.at/de/traiskirchen-pa2/ dead https://web.archive.org/web/20150814130015/https://www.amnesty.at/de/traiskirchen-pa2/ 14 August 2015 28 August 2015 Amnesty International Österreich de In late November, Finnish reception centers were running out of space, which forced authorities to resort to refurbished shipping containers and tents to house new asylum seekers.28 November 2015 Reception centres use containers to house new arrivals YLE https://yle.fi/uutiset/osasto/news/reception_centres_use_containers_to_house_new_arrivals/8486826 13 December 2017 5 April 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180405025259/https://yle.fi/uutiset/osasto/news/reception_centres_use_containers_to_house_new_arrivals/8486826 live Deputy prime minister Petteri Orpo announced that special repatriation centers would be established to house denied asylum seekers. While he stressed that these camps would not be prisons, he stated that the inhabitants would be under strict surveillance.3 December 2015 Interior Minister: Finland to set up asylum seeker repatriation centres YLE https://yle.fi/uutiset/osasto/news/interior_minister_finland_to_set_up_asylum_seeker_repatriation_centres/8502217 13 December 2017 5 April 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180405025150/https://yle.fi/uutiset/osasto/news/interior_minister_finland_to_set_up_asylum_seeker_repatriation_centres/8502217 live Many migrants tried to enter the United Kingdom, resulting in camps of migrants around Calais where one of the Eurotunnel entrances is located. In the summer of 2015, at least nine people died in attempts to reach Britain, including falling from trains, being hit by trains, or drowning in a canal at the Eurotunnel entrance.Naina Bajekal/Calais 1 August 2015 Why Thousands of Migrants Are Risking Their Lives at Calais Time https://time.com/3980758/calais-migrant-eurotunnel-deaths/ 28 August 2015 20 August 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150820122228/http://time.com/3980758/calais-migrant-eurotunnel-deaths/ live In response, a UK-financed fence was built along the A-216 highway in Calais.Will new mile-long Calais fence stop migrants? BBC News https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-33833536 22 January 2016 28 March 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160328235655/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-33833536 live Lizzie Dearden 16 December 2015 Refugee crisis: Hundreds of migrants storm Calais motorway attempting to board lorries heading to the UK The Independent https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/refugee-crisis-hundreds-of-migrants-storm-calais-motorway-attempting-to-board-lorries-heading-to-the-a6775346.html live subscription 22 January 2016 https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/refugee-crisis-hundreds-of-migrants-storm-calais-motorway-attempting-to-board-lorries-heading-to-the-a6775346.html 1 May 2022 At the camp near Calais, known as the Jungle, riots broke out when authorities began demolishing the illegally constructed campsite on 29 January 2015.Chrisafis Angelique Walker Peter Quinn Ben 1 March 2016 Calais 'Jungle' camp: clashes as authorities demolish homes The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/feb/29/french-authorities-begin-clearance-of-part-of-calais-jungle-camp 7 March 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160307205334/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/feb/29/french-authorities-begin-clearance-of-part-of-calais-jungle-camp 7 March 2016 Amid the protests, which included hunger strikes, thousands of refugees living in the camp were relocated to France's "first international-standard refugee camp" at the La Liniere refugee camp in Grande-Synthe which replaced the previous Basroch refugee camp.7 March 2016 Nach Räumung des "Dschungels": Frankreich eröffnet neues Flüchtlingslager am Ärmelkanal de Spiegel Online http://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/grande-synthe-frankreich-eroeffnet-fluechtlingslager-am-aermelkanal-a-1081052.html 7 March 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160307210038/http://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/grande-synthe-frankreich-eroeffnet-fluechtlingslager-am-aermelkanal-a-1081052.html 7 March 2016 Germany has a quota system to distribute asylum seekers among all German states, but in September 2015 the federal states, responsible for accommodation, criticised the government in Berlin for not providing enough help to them. In Germany, which took in by far the highest number of refugees, the federal government distributes refugees among the 16 states proportionally to their tax revenue and population;Katrin Bennhold Melissa Eddy 6 September 2015 German Quota System Highlights Possible Path and Pitfalls for Handling Crisis The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/07/world/german-quota-system-highlights-possible-path-and-pitfalls-for-handling-crisis.html 6 September 2015 9 September 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150909164214/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/07/world/german-quota-system-highlights-possible-path-and-pitfalls-for-handling-crisis.html live the states themselves are required to come up with housing solutions. In 2015, this arrangement came under strain as many states ran out of dedicated accommodation for incoming refugees.Melanie Amann, Matthias Gebauer und Horand Knaup 11 September 2015 Länderinnenminister: "Sie öffnen die Grenzen und lassen uns im Stich" Der Spiegel https://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/innenminister-warnen-vor-noch-mehr-fluechtlingen-a-1052575.html 11 September 2015 13 September 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150913015043/http://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/innenminister-warnen-vor-noch-mehr-fluechtlingen-a-1052575.html live Many resorted to temporarily housing refugees in tents or repurposed empty buildings. The small village of Sumte (population 102), which contained a large unused warehouse, famously took in 750 refugees.Andrew Higgins 31 October 2015 German Village of 102 Braces for 750 Asylum Seekers The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/01/world/europe/german-village-of-102-braces-for-750-asylum-seekers.html 31 October 2015 31 October 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151031200743/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/01/world/europe/german-village-of-102-braces-for-750-asylum-seekers.html live Although media and some locals feared racial strife and a far-right political surge, the town remained peaceful and locals largely accepting. By 2020, most of the arrivals had moved on to bigger German cities for work or study; a small number settled in Sumte permanently.31 October 2020 Kleines Dorf: Sumte nahm 750 Flüchtlinge auf – Was ist seitdem passiert? https://www.nordkurier.de/mecklenburg-vorpommern/sumte-nahm-750-fluechtlinge-auf-was-ist-seitdem-passiert-3141225910.html live https://web.archive.org/web/20201031072229/https://www.nordkurier.de/mecklenburg-vorpommern/sumte-nahm-750-fluechtlinge-auf-was-ist-seitdem-passiert-3141225910.html 31 October 2020 19 July 2021 Nordkurier de In Berlin, authorities housed refugees in temporary accommodations at the site of the decommissioned Tempelhof Airport, then developed a program of container housing known as Tempohomes, followed by Modular Accommodations for Refugees (Modulare Unterkünfte für Flüchtlinge); many of the Tempohomes and MUF are still in use as of 2022, and some have begun housing Ukrainian refugees as well.Anagnost Adrian Antisocial Housing: Migration and Temporary Architectures in Berlin ASAP/Journal January 2023 8 1 32–39 886976 10.1353/asa.2023.0011 EU-Turkey refugee return agreement thumb|upright=1.3|Syrian refugees at the Kilis Oncupinar Accommodation Facility in Turkey Because the vast majority of refugees arriving in Europe in 2015 passed through Turkey, the country's cooperation was seen as central to efforts to stem the flow of people and prevent refugees from attempting to make dangerous sea crossings. There was also a recognition that it would be unfair to expect Turkey to shoulder the financial and logistical burden of hosting and integrating millions of refugees on its own. In 2015, the European Commission began negotiating an agreement with Turkey to close its borders to Greece in exchange for money and diplomatic favours. In March 2016, after months of tense negotiationsRankin Jennifer 7 March 2016 Resettling Syrians, aid and visa changes on table at EU-Turkey migration summit The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/07/eu-offers-another-3bn-to-turkey-at-emergency-migration-summit 7 March 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160307210858/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/07/eu-offers-another-3bn-to-turkey-at-emergency-migration-summit 7 March 2016 during which Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan repeatedly threatened to open Turkey's borders and "flood" Europe with migrants to extract concessions,Agence France-Presse 12 February 2016 Turkish president threatens to send millions of Syrian refugees to EU The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/feb/12/turkish-president-threatens-to-send-millions-of-syrian-refugees-to-eu 11 December 2016 26 April 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160426191536/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/feb/12/turkish-president-threatens-to-send-millions-of-syrian-refugees-to-eu live a deal was announced. Turkey agreed to significantly increase border security at its shores and take back all future irregular entrants into Greece (and thereby the EU) from Turkey. In return, the EU would pay Turkey 6 billion euros (around US$7 billion).Fruscione Giorgio 11 May 2018 What of the Refugees? The Closure of the Balkan Route, Two Years On https://www.ispionline.it/en/pubblicazione/what-refugees-closure-balkan-route-two-years-20511 live 2 August 2021 Italian Institute for International Political Studies en https://web.archive.org/web/20190608221923/https://www.ispionline.it/en/pubblicazione/what-refugees-closure-balkan-route-two-years-20511 8 June 2019 In addition, for every Syrian sent back from Greece, the EU would accept one registered Syrian refugee living in Turkey who had never tried to enter the EU illegally, up to a total of 72,000. If the process succeeded in dramatically reducing irregular immigration to a maximum of 6,000 people per month, the EU would set up a resettlement scheme by which it would regularly resettle Syrian refugees registered in Turkey and upon vetting and recommendation by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The EU also promised to institute visa-free travel to the Schengen area and to breathe new life into Turkey's EU accession talks.http://www.psca.eu/uploads/MleCMS/Issue%20VII_complete.pdf The EU's response to the so-called refugee "crisis" 9 December 2016 12 December 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20161212134306/http://www.psca.eu/uploads/MleCMS/Issue%20VII_complete.pdf live The deal came into force on 20 March 2016.20 March 2016 Migrant crisis: EU-Turkey deal comes into effect BBC News https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-35854413 21 March 2016 8 December 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211208124116/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-35854413 live On 4 April, the first group of 200 people had been deported from Greece to Turkey under the provisions of the deal. Turkey planned to deport most of them to their home countries.8 April 2016 Migrant crisis: Deportations resume from Greece to Turkey en-GB BBC News https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-35993767 28 August 2021 13 May 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210513170804/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-35993767 live The agreement resulted in a steep decline of migrant arrivals in Greece; in April, Greece recorded only 2,700 irregular border crossings, a 90 per cent decrease compared to the previous month.13 May 2016 Number of migrants arriving in Greece dropped 90 per cent in April Frontex http://frontex.europa.eu/news/number-of-migrants-arriving-in-greece-dropped-90-in-april-6e7oBw 17 May 2016 15 December 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20171215020706/http://frontex.europa.eu/news/number-of-migrants-arriving-in-greece-dropped-90-in-april-6e7oBw dead This was also the first time since June 2015 that more migrants arrived in Italy than in Greece. The plan to send migrants back to Turkey was criticized by human right organisations and the United Nations, which warned that it could be illegal to send the migrants back to Turkey in exchange for financial and political rewards.Stephanie Nebehay Gabriela Baczynska 8 March 2016 U.N., rights groups say EU-Turkey migrant deal may be illegal https://www.reuters.com/article/us-europe-migrants-idUSKCN0WA1D4 8 March 2016 Reuters 8 March 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160308123508/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-europe-migrants-idUSKCN0WA1D4 live The UNHCR said it was not a party to the EU-Turkey deal and would not be involved in returns or detentions.22 March 2016 UNHCR redefines role in Greece as EU-Turkey deal comes into effect UNHCR http://www.unhcr.org/56f10d049.html 26 March 2016 9 May 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190509054613/https://www.unhcr.org/56f10d049.html live Like the UNHCR, four aid agencies (Médecins Sans Frontières, the International Rescue Committee, the Norwegian Refugee Council and Save the Children) said they would not help to implement the EU-Turkey deal because blanket expulsion of refugees contravened international law.23 March 2016 Refugee crisis: key aid agencies refuse any role in 'mass expulsion' The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/23/refugee-crisis-aid-agencies-unhcr-refuse-role-mass-expulsion-greece-turkey 11 December 2016 27 August 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190827123852/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/23/refugee-crisis-aid-agencies-unhcr-refuse-role-mass-expulsion-greece-turkey live Amnesty International called the agreement "madness", and said 18 March 2016 was "a dark day for Refugee Convention, Europe and humanity". Turkish prime minister Ahmet Davutoglu said that Turkey and EU had the same challenges, the same future, and the same destiny. President of the European Council Donald Tusk said that the migrants in Greece would not be sent back to dangerous areas.Migrants given 24-hour deadline to reach Europe after Turkey and EU agree 'historic' deal https://web.archive.org/web/20180614084048/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/turkey/12197969/Refugee-crisis-Turkey-and-EU-agree-deal-to-send-migrants-back-to-Turkey-from-Greece.html 14 June 2018 M. Holehouse, R. Akkoc and N. Squires, The Daily Telegraph, 18 March 2016 Turkey's EU accession talks began in July 2016 and the first $3.3 billion was transferred to Turkey. The talks were suspended in November 2016 after Turkey's antidemocratic response to the 2016 Turkish coup attempt.21 February 2019 Turkey condemns European parliament committee call to suspend... Reuters https://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-eu-idUSKCN1QA0MJ 21 February 2019 11 December 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201211195612/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-eu-idUSKCN1QA0MJ live Erdoğan again threatened to flood Europe with migrants after the European Parliament voted to suspend EU membership talks in November 2016: "if you go any further, these border gates will be opened. Neither me nor my people will be affected by these dry threats."Adamson Fiona B Tsourapas Gerasimos 1 May 2019 Migration Diplomacy in World Politics http://pure-oai.bham.ac.uk/ws/files/57727314/Adamson_Tsourapas_2018_Migration_diplomacy_in_world_politics_International_Studies_Perspectives.pdf International Studies Perspectives 20 2 113–128 10.1093/isp/eky015 1528-3577 free 21 October 2019 21 October 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191021120643/http://pure-oai.bham.ac.uk/ws/files/57727314/Adamson_Tsourapas_2018_Migration_diplomacy_in_world_politics_International_Studies_Perspectives.pdf live25 November 2016 Turkey warns Europe it will open the floodgates to more migrants http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/president-erdogan-turkey-eu-membership-migrants-refugees-europe-warning-a7438316.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/president-erdogan-turkey-eu-membership-migrants-refugees-europe-warning-a7438316.html 1 May 2022 subscription 9 June 2019 The Independent Over the next few years, Turkish officials continued to threaten the EU with reneging on the deal and engineering a repeat of the 2015 refugee crisis in response to criticism of the Erdoğan government.Turkey Threatens To Send Europe 15,000 Refugees A Month https://www.rferl.org/a/turkey-threatens-to-send-europe-15000-refugees-a-month/28375772.html RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty 24 July 2019 24 July 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190724021258/https://www.rferl.org/a/turkey-threatens-to-send-europe-15000-refugees-a-month/28375772.html live10 October 2019 Turkey's Erdogan threatens to send 'millions' of refugees to Europe if EU calls Syria offensive 'invasion' https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/10/10/turkeys-erdogan-threatens-send-millions-refugees-europe-eu-calls/ The Daily Telegraph 28 November 2019 8 December 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191208154832/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/10/10/turkeys-erdogan-threatens-send-millions-refugees-europe-eu-calls/ live In one incident in March 2020, the Turkish government bused large numbers of Syrians living in Turkey to the Greek border and encouraged them to cross. Greece repelled the arrivals with border guards.Aris Roussinos 3 April 2020 What the Hell Is Happening With Migrants in Greece? https://www.vice.com/en/article/what-the-hell-is-happening-with-migrants-in-greece/ 28 August 2021 9 August 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200809203738/https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/3a8mny/what-the-hell-is-happening-with-migrants-in-greece live29 February 2020 News Over 13,000 migrants gather on Turkey-Greece border Deutsche Welle https://www.dw.com/en/over-13000-migrants-gather-on-turkey-greece-border/a-52593052 28 August 2021 19 August 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210819050733/https://www.dw.com/en/over-13000-migrants-gather-on-turkey-greece-border/a-52593052 live One effect of the closure of the "Balkan route" was to drive refugees to other routes, especially across the central and eastern Mediterranean. As a result, migrant deaths due to shipwrecks began increasing again. On 16 April, a large boat sank between Libya and Italy, with as many as 500 deaths.20 April 2016 Massive loss of life reported in latest Mediterranean tragedy UNHCR http://www.unhcr.org/57178bcf6.html 1 May 2016 22 April 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160422122958/http://www.unhcr.org/57178bcf6.html live In addition, countries that had seen comparatively few refugee arrivals began recording significant numbers. In 2017, for instance, there was a 60% significant jump in the number of migrants reaching Spain.EU's migrant nightmare: Arrivals in Spain rocket as smugglers slash crossing price to £800 Daily Express http://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/826766/Migrant-crisis-EU-new-challenge-arrivals-Spain 4 November 2017 7 November 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20171107021936/http://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/826766/Migrant-crisis-EU-new-challenge-arrivals-Spain live Similarly, Cyprus recorded an approximately 8-fold increase in the number of arrivals between 2016 and 2017.October 2017 Migration Flows to Europe – Quarterly Overview http://migration.iom.int/docs/Q3_Overview_Arrivals_to_Europe.pdf 4 November 2017 International Organisation of Migration 7 November 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20171107003816/http://migration.iom.int/docs/Q3_Overview_Arrivals_to_Europe.pdf deadAsylum Quarterly Report – explained http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/pdfscache/13562.pdf 4 November 2017 EC Europa 7 November 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20171107032043/http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/pdfscache/13562.pdf live In response to the increased numbers of people reaching Italian shores, Italy signed an agreement in early 2017 with the UN-recognized government of Libya, from where most migrants started their boat journeys to Italy. In return for Libya making more efforts to prevent migrants from reaching Europe, Italy provided money and training for the Libyan coast guard and for migrant detention centres in northern Libya. In August of that year, the Libyan Coast Guard began requiring NGO rescue vessels to stay at least 360 km (225 mi) from the Libyan coast unless they were given express permission to enter.ONG en Méditerranée: la Libye affirme sa souveraineté sur ses eaux territoriales fr-FR RFI Afrique http://www.rfi.fr/afrique/20170811-migrations-mediterranee-bras-force-libye-ong-eaux-territoriales 13 August 2017 12 August 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170812235442/http://www.rfi.fr/afrique/20170811-migrations-mediterranee-bras-force-libye-ong-eaux-territoriales live As a result, NGOs MSF, Save the Children and Sea Eye suspended their operations after clashes with the Libyan Coast Guard after the latter asserted its sovereignty of its waters by firing warning shots.Jones Gavin 17 August 2017 More NGOs follow MSF in suspending Mediterranean migrant rescues Reuters https://www.reuters.com/article/us-europe-migrants-ngo-idUSKCN1AT0IZ 16 August 2017 15 August 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170815222608/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-europe-migrants-ngo-idUSKCN1AT0IZ? live Soon afterwards, refugee arrivals in Italy dropped significantly. At the same time, the lack of rescue vessels made the crossing much more dangerous; by September 2018, one in five migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea from Libya either drowned or disappeared.Libya – The Irish Times https://www.irishtimes.com/topics/topics-7.1213540?article=true&tag_location=Libya irishtimes.com 8 July 2023 7 October 2018 7 October 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20181007145449/https://www.irishtimes.com/topics/topics-7.1213540?article=true&tag_location=Libya live In 2019, the deal was renewed for a further three years.Gostoli Ylenia Anti-migration deal between Italy and Libya renewed https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/11/2/anti-migration-deal-between-italy-and-libya-renewed 2 August 2021 www.aljazeera.com en 2 August 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210802122229/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/11/2/anti-migration-deal-between-italy-and-libya-renewed live Asylum applications by countryFirst instance decisions on applications by citizenship, age and sex – annual aggregated data https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/migr_asydcfsta/default/table?lang=en 3 June 2021 Eurostat 10 July 2021 10 July 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210710045748/https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/migr_asydcfsta/default/table?lang=en live Country Total processed asylum applications in 2015–17Although the majority of refugees arrived in Europe in 2015,Migrant crisis: Illegal entries to EU at lowest level in five years BBC News 4 January 2019 https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-46764500 4 January 2019 10 July 2021 12 July 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210712021723/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-46764500 live many did not file asylum claims until 2016 or 2017. right 25 Germany 1,404,550 France 276,340 Italy 239,455 Sweden 205,405 Austria 108,670 United Kingdom 96,825 Belgium 68,425 Netherlands 65,285 Switzerland 60,645 Greece 45,605 Norway 35,485 Finland 30,890 Denmark 29,585 Spain 25,545 Bulgaria 13,960 Hungary 12,615 Poland 8,590 Cyprus 6,490 Romania 4,680 Malta 4,035 Ireland 4,015 Czech Republic 3,825 Luxembourg 3,745 Portugal 1,915 Croatia 945 Lithuania 830 Latvia 790 Slovenia 635 Estonia 525 Slovakia 470 thumb|Migrants at the Greece–North Macedonia border near Gevgelija, 24 August 2015 thumb|Rescued male migrants are brought to southern Italian ports, 28 June 2015 thumb|Migrants in a hunger strike in front of the Budapest Keleti railway station, 3 September 2015 thumb|left|Migrants arrived in Lampedusa. thumb|Eritrean migrants in Messina, October 2015 alt=large group of migrants moving along a road, being directed by the army and police|left|thumb|Arrival of migrants in Dobova, Slovenia EU response European Union response to the 2015 migrant crisis The response at the EU level was relatively uncoordinated, as some member states unilaterally closed their borders and others, like Germany and Sweden, maintained a relatively welcoming stance. The sudden border closures often resulted in chaos, trapping large numbers of people in countries where they had no desire to stay. The European Commission made some attempts to harmonize the different policies, such as the Common European Asylum System (CEAS). In addition, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency focused on strengthening European border integrity in the Mediterranean Sea. Several policies, such as an "Emergency Trust Fund," were also developed to address problems in the home countries of asylum seekers. Role of non-governmental organizations Non-governmental organizations often filled the vacuum official operations were insufficient.Cusumano Eugenio Pattison James 2 January 2018 The non-governmental provision of search and rescue in the Mediterranean and the abdication of state responsibility https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09557571.2018.1477118 Cambridge Review of International Affairs en 31 1 53–75 10.1080/09557571.2018.1477118 0955-7571 1887/74076 free 6 January 2024 28 December 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20231228142918/https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09557571.2018.1477118 live Following the end of Italy's Mare Nostrum operation in 2014, NGOs began performing search and rescue operations.17 October 2014 Italy: Ending Mare Nostrum search and rescue operation would 'put lives at risk' https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2014/10/italy-ending-mare-nostrum-search-and-rescue-operation-would-put-lives-risk/ 6 January 2024 Amnesty International en 4 January 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240104142308/https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2014/10/italy-ending-mare-nostrum-search-and-rescue-operation-would-put-lives-risk/ live Some Italian authorities feared that they encouraged people to use the dangerous passage facilitated by human traffickers.12 August 2017 MSF suspends Mediterranean rescues as migrant dispute mounts Reuters https://www.reuters.com/article/us-europe-migrants-msf-idUSKBN1AS0L1 13 August 2017 12 August 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170812191112/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-europe-migrants-msf-idUSKBN1AS0L1 live Cusumano Eugenio Villa Matteo 2021 From "Angels" to "Vice Smugglers": the Criminalization of Sea Rescue NGOs in Italy https://link.springer.com/10.1007/s10610-020-09464-1 European Journal on Criminal Policy and Research en 27 1 23–40 10.1007/s10610-020-09464-1 0928-1371 1814/68576 free 6 January 2024 24 February 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240224122501/https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10610-020-09464-1 live In July 2017, Italy drew up a code of conduct for NGO rescue vessels delivering migrants to Italian ports.Balmer Crispian 13 July 2017 Italy drafts contested code of conduct for NGO migrant boats https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN19X2TT/ 6 January 2024 Reuters These rules prohibited coordinating with human traffickers via flares or radio and required vessels to permit police presence on board. More controversially, they also forbade entering the territorial waters of Libya and transferring rescued people onto other vessels, which severely limited the number of people NGOs could save.Balmer Crispian 12 July 2017 Italy drafts contested code of conduct for NGO migrant boats en Reuters https://www.reuters.com/article/us-europe-migrants-ngos-idUSKBN19X2U1 17 July 2021 17 July 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210717132124/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-europe-migrants-ngos-idUSKBN19X2U1 live The Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International criticised the code of conduct and some NGOs, including Doctors Without Borders, eventually suspended rescue operations. In the years following its implementation, Mediterranean Sea crossings dropped considerably, although the degree to which this was caused by the NGO code is disputed. A study conducted from 2014 to 2019 concluded that external factors like weather and the political stability of Libya contributed more to the ebbs and flows of migrants crossing the Mediterranean.Trilling Daniel 22 September 2020 How rescuing drowning migrants became a crime http://www.theguardian.com/news/2020/sep/22/how-rescuing-drowning-migrants-became-a-crime-iuventa-salvini-italy live https://web.archive.org/web/20200922054615/https://www.theguardian.com/news/2020/sep/22/how-rescuing-drowning-migrants-became-a-crime-iuventa-salvini-italy 22 September 2020 18 July 2021 The Guardian en Non-governmental search and rescue operations cannot entirely stop the loss of life at sea in the wake of large-scale migratory flows. In September 2016, Greek volunteers of the "Hellenic Rescue Team" and human rights activist Efi Latsoudi were awarded the Nansen Refugee Award by the UNHCR "for their tireless volunteer work" in helping refugees arrive in Greece during the 2015 refugee crisis.Refugees United Nations High Commissioner for Greek Volunteers share UNHCR Nansen Refugee Award http://www.unhcr.org/news/press/2016/9/57cdec884/greek-volunteers-share-unhcr-nansen-refugee-award.html 6 September 2016 25 June 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170625070819/http://www.unhcr.org/news/press/2016/9/57cdec884/greek-volunteers-share-unhcr-nansen-refugee-award.html live Public opinion A 2016 study by Pew Research Center suggested widespread anxiety over the refugee crisis and immigration in general, particularly about effects on the labour market, crime, and difficulty integrating the newcomers. The study also revealed insecurities about weakening national identities when taking in people from other cultures.https://www.pewresearch.org/global/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2016/07/Pew-Research-Center-EU-Refugees-and-National-Identity-Report-FINAL-July-11-2016.pdf Europeans Fear Wave of Refugees Will Mean More Terrorism, Fewer Jobs Wike Richard Pew Research Center Pew Research Center:Global Attitudes & Trends 24 February 2024 13 February 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240213231326/https://www.pewresearch.org/global/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2016/07/Pew-Research-Center-EU-Refugees-and-National-Identity-Report-FINAL-July-11-2016.pdf live Many Europeans also harbored more specific anxieties around Muslim immigration.Bowen John European states and their Muslim citizens : the impact of institutions on perceptions and boundaries Cambridge University Press 2014 978-1-107-03864-6 Some national leaders, notably in Slovakia and Hungary, exploited and at times encouraged this view for electoral gain.Brljavac Bedrudin 2017 Refugee Crisis in Europe: The Case Studies of Sweden and Slovakia https://www.ceeol.com/search/article-detail?id=553205 Journal of Liberty and International Affairs III Suppl 91–107 1857-9760 13 June 2020 13 June 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200613213631/https://www.ceeol.com/search/article-detail?id=553205 live A study of ten European countries by Royal Institute of International Affairs found that an average of 55% would support stopping further immigration from Muslims, with support ranging from 40% (Spain) to 70% (Poland).Goodwin Matthew Raines Thomas Cutts David 7 February 2017 What Do Europeans Think About Muslim Immigration? https://www.chathamhouse.org/2017/02/what-do-europeans-think-about-muslim-immigration live 10 August 2021 Chatham House en https://web.archive.org/web/20201015022607/https://www.chathamhouse.org/2017/02/what-do-europeans-think-about-muslim-immigration 15 October 2020 A study by the European Social Survey using more nuanced wording found that 25% were opposed to all Muslim immigration; a further 30% supported permitting only "some" Muslim immigration.Heath Anthony Richards Lindsay 2016 Attitudes towards Immigration and their Antecedents: Topline Results from Round 7 of the European Social Survey https://www.europeansocialsurvey.org/docs/findings/ESS7_toplines_issue_7_immigration.pdf live European Social Survey https://web.archive.org/web/20170329023540/http://www.europeansocialsurvey.org:80/docs/findings/ESS7_toplines_issue_7_immigration.pdf 29 March 2017 The public perception of the migrant crisis from the Hungarian point of view has been characterized as anti-immigration since 2015. Muslim immigrants are perceived as a symbolic threat to the dominant—mostly Christian—Western culture, and (specifically in the Hungarian context) asylum seekers with a Christian background are more welcomed than those with a Muslim background.Simonovits Bori Geographies of Asylum in Europe and the Role of European Localities The Public Perception of the Migration Crisis from the Hungarian Point of View: Evidence from the Field 2020 IMISCOE Research Series Springer International Publishing 155–176 10.1007/978-3-030-25666-1_8 978-3-030-25665-4 free A study released by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights found that almost 40% of first- and second-generation Muslims in Europe surveyed reported discrimination in their daily life.Bleiker Carla 21 September 2017 Muslims in the EU: Feeling at home despite discrimination Deutsche Welle https://www.dw.com/en/muslims-in-the-eu-feeling-at-home-despite-discrimination/a-40630952 3 June 2020 3 June 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200603130312/https://www.dw.com/en/muslims-in-the-eu-feeling-at-home-despite-discrimination/a-40630952 live British Somali poet Warsan Shire's poem 'Home' became a prominent depiction of the refugee experience. A video of Benedict Cumberbatch reciting the poem after a stage performance as part of an impassioned plea to help refugees went viral in September 2015.Benedict Cumberbatch's heartfelt speech for Syrian refugees https://www.readersdigest.co.uk/culture/celebrities/benedict-cumberbatchs-heartfelt-speech-for-syrian-refugees live 10 August 2021 Reader's Digest UK en https://web.archive.org/web/20200805052533/https://www.readersdigest.co.uk/culture/celebrities/benedict-cumberbatchs-heartfelt-speech-for-syrian-refugees 5 August 2020 Death of Alan Kurdi Death of Alan Kurdi A photo of the body of a 2-year-old Syrian boy named Alan Kurdi (after he drowned on 2 September 2015) became a symbol of the suffering of refugees trying to reach Europe.Walsh Brian Alan Kurdi's Story: Behind The Most Heartbreaking Photo of 2015 https://time.com/4162306/alan-kurdi-syria-drowned-boy-refugee-crisis/ 10 November 2021 Time en 10 November 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211110185231/https://time.com/4162306/alan-kurdi-syria-drowned-boy-refugee-crisis/ live Unlike many pictures of refugees often published in European media, in which "asylum-seekers are generally shown in groups of people, often on boats, rather than as single individuals", the picture was of a single, identifiable child victim and engendered a wave of compassion throughout Europe.Sohlberg Jacob Esaiasson Peter Martinsson Johan The changing political impact of compassion-evoking pictures: the case of the drowned toddler Alan Kurdi Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies 3 October 2019 45 13 2275–2288 10.1080/1369183X.2018.1538773 150067850 free Multiple EU leaders addressed the photo and called for EU action to address the crisis.Agencies Daily Sabah with 3 September 2015 French President calls Erdoğan over images of drowned Syrian boy, calls for common EU refugee policy https://www.dailysabah.com/diplomacy/2015/09/03/french-president-calls-erdogan-over-images-of-drowned-syrian-boy-calls-for-common-eu-refugee-policy 5 October 2020 Daily Sabah 9 October 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201009011906/https://www.dailysabah.com/diplomacy/2015/09/03/french-president-calls-erdogan-over-images-of-drowned-syrian-boy-calls-for-common-eu-refugee-policy liveAshley Fantz and Catherine E. Shoichet Drowned Syrian boy's dad: Everything is gone https://www.cnn.com/2015/09/03/europe/migration-crisis-aylan-kurdi-turkey-canada/index.html 5 October 2020 CNN 3 September 2015 2 October 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201002200426/https://www.cnn.com/2015/09/03/europe/migration-crisis-aylan-kurdi-turkey-canada/index.html live Kurdi and his family were Syrian refugees, and 2-year-old Alan died alongside his brother and mother – only his father survived the journey, telling CNN "everything I was dreaming of is gone. I want to bury my children and sit beside them until I die." Kurdi's body was photographed by Turkish journalist Nilüfer Demir. Pro and anti-immigration protests Wien - Demo Mensch sein in Österreich - 8.jpg "Syrian Refugees Welcome" rally in Vienna, 31 August 2015 02015-10-02 Der anti-islamische Protest in Polen.JPG Anti-immigration rally in Poland in 2015 Anti-imigration-rally-Prague-Aug2015.jpg Anti-immigration rally called "For our culture and safe country" in Prague, Czech Republic, 12 September 2015 Natsit ja ISIS on samaa paskaa.jpgA pro-migration demonstration in Helsinki, Finland, showing a sign saying Natsit & ISIS = samaa paskaa, Finnish for "Nazis & ISIS = the same shit". Tahle Země patří všem REFUGEES WELCOME - 2015 (34).JPG Pro-migration rally in Prague, Czech Republic, 17 October 2015 270 1 #FFFFFF 3 gray (Pro) 12 September 2015 Vienna; (anti) 2015 Poland; (anti) 12 September 2015 Czech Republic; (pro) 6 December 2018 Finland; (pro) 17 October 2015 Czech Republic #FFDEAD 278 Pegida, a pan-European far-right political movement founded in 2014 on opposition to immigration from Muslim countries, experienced a resurgence during the refugee crisis, especially in eastern Germany. The movement said that "Western civilisation could soon come to an end through Islam conquering Europe".23 January 2016 Pegida meets with European allies in the Czech Republic Deutsche Welle https://www.dw.com/en/pegida-meets-with-european-allies-in-the-czech-republic/a-19000895 17 June 2020 31 July 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200731023953/https://www.dw.com/en/pegida-meets-with-european-allies-in-the-czech-republic/a-19000895 live In the United Kingdom, members of the far-right anti-immigration group Britain First organised protest marches.Britain First: anti-Islam group that bills itself as a patriotic movement https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/nov/29/britain-first-anti-islam-group-that-bills-itself-as-a-patriotic-movement the Guardian 29 November 2017 17 June 2020 15 February 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180215143608/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/nov/29/britain-first-anti-islam-group-that-bills-itself-as-a-patriotic-movement live An analysis by Hope not Hate, an anti-racist advocacy group, identified 24 different British groups attempting to whip up mistrust of Muslims and provoke a "cultural civil war", including the UK chapter of Pegida and the political party Liberty GB.Townsend Mark Anti-Muslim prejudice "is moving to the mainstream" https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/05/far-right-muslim-cultural-civil-war The Observer 5 December 2015 17 June 2020 17 November 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211117011429/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/05/far-right-muslim-cultural-civil-war live White-nationalist conspiracy theories predicting a Muslim takeover of Europe gained wider prominence during and after the refugee crisis.Bergmann Eirikur Neo-Nationalism The Third Wave: The International Financial Crisis and Refugees 2020 131–207 Cham Springer International Publishing en 10.1007/978-3-030-41773-4_5 978-3-030-41772-7 7245514 A theory known as Eurabia, which claims that globalist entities led by French and Arab powers are plotting to "islamise" and "arabise" Europe, was propagated widely in far-right circles. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/16/the-myth-of-eurabia-how-a-far-right-conspiracy-theory-went-mainstream The myth of Eurabia: how a far-right conspiracy theory went mainstream Andrew Brown The Guardian 16 August 2019 24 August 2019 19 April 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200419165949/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/16/the-myth-of-eurabia-how-a-far-right-conspiracy-theory-went-mainstream live Many groups also circulated a similar conspiracy theory called the "Great Replacement".Williams Thomas Chatterton The French Origins of "You Will Not Replace Us" https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/12/04/the-french-origins-of-you-will-not-replace-us The New Yorker 27 November 2017 24 February 2024 14 August 2019 https://archive.today/20190814185144/https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/12/04/the-french-origins-of-you-will-not-replace-us live Other notable anti-immigration protests in the aftermath of 2015, some of which escalated to riots, included: 16 December 2015: riot in Geldermalsen, the Netherlands, at a town hall meeting to discuss a new housing complex for 1,500 asylum seekers.Migrant crisis: Dutch town riots over asylum centre plan https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-35118496 BBC News 17 December 2015 24 February 2024 10 October 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20231010120915/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-35118496 live 25 December 2015: protests by Corsican nationalists, officially in support of Corsican autonomy, but which saw a mob ransack a Muslim prayer hall in Ajaccio and people burn Qurans. The rioters had assumed that a recent crime in the town had been carried out by immigrants.McHugh Jess After Anti-Muslim Protest In Corsica, Nationalism, High Unemployment, Slow Economic Growth Blamed https://www.ibtimes.com/after-anti-muslim-protest-corsica-nationalism-high-unemployment-slow-economic-growth-2240947 International Business Times 28 December 2015 24 February 2024 10 October 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20231010120801/https://www.ibtimes.com/after-anti-muslim-protest-corsica-nationalism-high-unemployment-slow-economic-growth-2240947 live 26 August 2018: Protests and subsequent violence in Chemnitz, GermanyAtika Schubert Schmidt Nadine Vonberg Judith 27 August 2018 German government condemns right-wing rioters CNN https://edition.cnn.com/2018/08/27/europe/germany-chemnitz-violence-intl/ 24 February 2024 10 October 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20231010121102/https://edition.cnn.com/2018/08/27/europe/germany-chemnitz-violence-intl/ live Notable pro-refugee or pro-immigration protests in response to the refugee crisis included: 15 June 2015: Birlikte, a series of semi-annual rallies and corresponding cultural festivals against right-wing extremist violence in Germany29 November 2014 Birlikte: Die Highlights im Birlikte-Programm http://www.koeln.de/koeln/birlikte_836979.html?page=0,1 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20141129023858/http://www.koeln.de/koeln/birlikte_836979.html?page=0,1 29 November 2014 29 November 2014 koeln.de NetCologne Gesellschaft für Telekommunikation mbH, Abteilung Content de Veranstalter sagen Festival Birlikte komplett ab de Jan H. Stellmacher Martin Böhmer 5 June 2016 Express http://www.express.de/koeln/wegen-unwetterwarnung-veranstalter-sagen-festival-birlikte-komplett-ab-24173842 13 May 2019 live https://web.archive.org/web/20160627215538/https://www.express.de/koeln/wegen-unwetterwarnung-veranstalter-sagen-festival-birlikte-komplett-ab-24173842 27 June 2016 12 September 2015: "day of action" in several European cities in support of refugees and migrants, with several 10,000 participants.Rallies in Europe as migrants arrive https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34235673 BBC News 12 September 2015 17 June 2020 3 August 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200803173952/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34235673 live On the same day, anti-immigration rallies took place in some eastern European countries. 18 February 2017: Volem acollir ("we want to welcome") protest in Barcelona, 160,000–500,000 participantsAgence France-Presse Protesters in Barcelona urge Spain to take in more refugees https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/feb/18/protesters-in-barcelona-urge-spain-to-take-in-more-refugees The Guardian 18 February 2017 17 June 2020 8 July 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200708113616/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/feb/18/protesters-in-barcelona-urge-spain-to-take-in-more-refugees live Statistics More than 3,700 migrants died trying, usually by drowning.https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/refugee-crisis-more-than-a-million-people-enter-europe-by-sea-in-2015-as-thousands-continue-to-arrive-every-day-a6790286.html More than a million refugees have entered Europe by sea alone this year 30 December 2015 The Independent 31 December 2022 31 December 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20221231022631/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/refugee-crisis-more-than-a-million-people-enter-europe-by-sea-in-2015-as-thousands-continue-to-arrive-every-day-a6790286.html live Asylum applications EU Asylum applicants by originAsylum and first time asylum applicants by citizenship, age and sex – annual aggregated data https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/MIGR_ASYAPPCTZA__custom_1142314/default/table?lang=en 2021 Eurostat 31 August 2021 14 July 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210714025000/https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/MIGR_ASYAPPCTZA__custom_1142314/default/table?lang=en live right Origin 2015 8 em 362715 2016 362715 Syria 362715 334815 Afghanistan 178290 182975 Iraq 121585 127090 Pakistan 46510 47655 Nigeria 30000 46245 Iran 25400 40210 Eritrea 33110 33370 Albania 66145 29145 Russia 18395 23045 Unknown 21135 20035 Rest of the world 354450 322225 Map of the European Migrant Crisis 2015 - Asylum applicants' countries of origin.pngCountries of origin of asylum applicants in the EU and EFTA states between 1 January and 30 June 2015 Hosted and departing refugees 2015.svgThis map shows the distribution of refugees and asylum seekers at the end of 2015 in the regions of Middle East, Africa and Europe while also showing the top 8 (data in millions) worldwide countries of origin of refugees (note that Turkey is out of scale, hosting 2.7 millions refugees while Palestinian refugees are not included; UNHCR data) Sea arrivals to Greece and Italy in 2015 by nationality.pngNationalities of the Mediterranean sea arrivals to Greece and Italy in 2015, according to UNHCR data Carte des routes d'immigration africaine vers l'Europe.svgMap of migrants' routes to North Africa and Europe from West Africa Syrian refugees in the Middle East map en.svgSyrian refugees hosted in some Middle East countries (Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, and Egypt); only a small fraction of all Syrian refugees have been resettled anywhere in the world (data as of August 2015) 270 1 #FFFFFF 3 gray Countries of origin of asylum applicants (1 January – 30 June 2015), distribution of refugees and asylum seekers at 2015http://popstats.unhcr.org/en/persons_of_concern UNHCR persons of concern 10 November 2016 10 November 2016 16 November 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20161116174402/http://popstats.unhcr.org/en/persons_of_concern live Nationalities of the Mediterranean sea arrivals in 2015, Map of migrants' routes, Syrian refugees as of August 2015Syria's refugee crisis in numbers https://web.archive.org/web/20210304221252/https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2015/09/syrias-refugee-crisis-in-numbers/ 4 March 2021 , Amnesty International, 4 September 2015 #FFDEAD 278 Over 75% of asylum seekers arriving in Europe in 2015 were fleeing from Syria, Afghanistan or Iraq.William Spindler 8 December 2015 2015: The year of Europe's refugee crisis https://www.unhcr.org/news/stories/2015/12/56ec1ebde/2015-year-europes-refugee-crisis.html 8 July 2021 UNHCR en 19 June 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210619052326/https://www.unhcr.org/news/stories/2015/12/56ec1ebde/2015-year-europes-refugee-crisis.html live Other significant countries of origin were Kosovo, Albania, Pakistan and Eritrea.4 March 2016 Migrant crisis: Migration to Europe explained in seven charts BBC News https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34131911 24 February 2024 31 January 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160131030536/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34131911 live Around half of asylum applications were made by young adults between 18 and 34 years of age; 96,000 refugees were unaccompanied minors. Around three-quarters of applications were by men.2 August 2016 Record 1.3 Million Sought Asylum in Europe in 2015 https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2016/08/02/number-of-refugees-to-europe-surges-to-record-1-3-million-in-2015/ 8 July 2021 Pew Research Center en 30 June 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210630025902/https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2016/08/02/number-of-refugees-to-europe-surges-to-record-1-3-million-in-2015/ live The gender imbalance among refugees reaching Europe has multiple related causes, most significantly the dangerous and expensive nature of the journey. Men with families often travel to Europe alone with the intent of applying for family reunification once their asylum request is granted.Jillian Kay Melchior 12 October 2015 Why So Many of Europe's Migrants Are Men https://www.nationalreview.com/2015/10/why-europes-migrants-are-men/ 8 July 2021 National Review en-US 13 July 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210713102259/https://www.nationalreview.com/2015/10/why-europes-migrants-are-men/ live In addition, in many countries, such as Syria, men are at greater risk than women of being forcibly conscripted or killed.Rebecca Collard 26 July 2018 Young Syrian men don't just fear the war, they fear being forced to join it https://theworld.org/stories/2018/07/24/some-syrians-are-risking-military-service-return-their-country 8 July 2021 The World en 9 July 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210709184517/https://www.pri.org/stories/2018-07-25/young-syrian-men-don-t-just-fear-war-they-fear-being-forced-join-it live Developing countries hosted the largest share of refugees (86 per cent by the end of 2014, the highest figure in more than two decades); the least developed countries alone provided asylum to 25 per cent of refugees worldwide. Even though most Syrian refugees were hosted by neighbouring countries such as Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan, the number of asylum applications lodged by Syrian refugees in Europe steadily increased between 2011 and 2015, totaling 813,599 in 37 European countries (including both EU members and non-members) as of November 2015; 57 per cent of them applied for asylum in Germany or Serbia.Syria Regional Refugee Response http://data.unhcr.org/syrianrefugees/asylum.php UNHCR 30 September 2015 9 April 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160409125136/http://data.unhcr.org/syrianrefugees/asylum.php dead Acceptance rate of asylum requests left|thumb|upright=1.364|Number of first time asylum applications received by the top ten recipients in the EU-28, January–December 2015. The top ten recipients account for more than 90 per cent of the asylum applications received in the EU-28.Asylum and first time asylum applicants by citizenship, age and sex Monthly data (rounded) http://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=migr_asyappctzm Eurostat 11 December 2015 22 December 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151222092830/http://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=migr_asyappctzm live 52 per cent of asylum applications in the EU were granted in 2015; another 14 per cent were granted on appeal. The citizenships with the highest recognition rates at first instance were Syria (97.2 per cent), Eritrea (89.8 per cent), Iraq (85.7 per cent), Afghanistan (67 per cent), Iran (64.7 per cent), Somalia (63.1 per cent) and Sudan (56 per cent).EU Member States granted protection to more than 330 000 asylum seekers in 2015 http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/documents/2995521/7233417/3-20042016-AP-EN.pdf/34c4f5af-eb93-4ecd-984c-577a5271c8c5 Eurostat 20 April 2016 26 April 2016 25 April 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160425045451/http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/documents/2995521/7233417/3-20042016-AP-EN.pdf/34c4f5af-eb93-4ecd-984c-577a5271c8c5 live Asylum applications by citizens of some countries with high levels of violence, like Nigeria and Pakistan, nevertheless had low success rates. Economic migrants Some people applying for asylum were perceived to be economic migrants using the asylum process to move to Europe to find work, rather than fleeing war or persecution. Economic migrants are not eligible for asylum, although the distinction between economic migrants and refugees is not always clear since some people fleeing war are also fleeing poverty.Gardels Nathan 2 December 2018 Opinion Refugees and migrants have become a blurred challenge en-US The Washington Post https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/theworldpost/wp/2018/12/20/asylum/ 19 August 2021 0190-8286 22 September 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200922165608/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/theworldpost/wp/2018/12/20/asylum/ live It is difficult to say what proportion of the 2015 arrivals to Europe were "economic migrants." Some analysts use refugee recognition rates as a metric,7 September 2015 How many migrants to Europe are refugees? The Economist https://www.economist.com/the-economist-explains/2015/09/07/how-many-migrants-to-europe-are-refugees 19 August 2021 0013-0613 19 August 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210819134238/https://www.economist.com/the-economist-explains/2015/09/07/how-many-migrants-to-europe-are-refugees live although this is also difficult since these vary widely between EU countries.Burmann Martina Valeyatheepillay Madhinee June 2017 Asylum Recognition Rates in the Top 5 EU Countries https://www.ifo.de/DocDL/dice-report-2017-2-burmann-valeyatheepillay-june.pdf Ifo DICE Report 15 2 19 August 2021 27 October 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211027015831/https://www.ifo.de/DocDL/dice-report-2017-2-burmann-valeyatheepillay-june.pdf live People from the Western Balkans — most of whom were Romanis, a marginalized ethnic groupMigrant crisis: Explaining the exodus from the Balkans BBC News https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34173252 19 September 2015 8 August 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190808200231/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34173252 live — were often perceived to be economic migrants.26 August 2015 Mass Migration: What Is Driving the Balkan Exodus? Der Spiegel http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/western-balkan-exodus-puts-pressure-on-germany-and-eu-a-1049274.html 8 September 2015 28 March 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160328235523/http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/western-balkan-exodus-puts-pressure-on-germany-and-eu-a-1049274.html live Parts of West Africa and Pakistan also had low recognition rates.Nossiter Adam 20 August 2015 Migrant Smuggling Business Is Booming in Niger, Despite Crackdown The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/21/world/africa/migrant-smuggling-business-is-booming-in-niger-despite-crackdown.html?ref=world&_r=0 20 August 2015 8 June 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190608122357/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/21/world/africa/migrant-smuggling-business-is-booming-in-niger-despite-crackdown.html?ref=world&_r=0 liveDeutsche Welle Economic migrants from Pakistan have little chance in Europe 14 December 2016 https://www.dw.com/en/economic-migrants-from-pakistan-have-little-chance-in-europe/a-36762108 1 September 2021 en-GB 1 September 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210901010853/https://www.dw.com/en/economic-migrants-from-pakistan-have-little-chance-in-europe/a-36762108 live However, these nationalities made up a relatively small percentage of 2015 arrivals. In 2015, 14% of all first-time asylum requests filed in the EU were by people from the Western Balkans; in 2016 the figure was 5%. Syrians, Afghans and Iraqis, whose asylum recognition rates ranged between 60% and 100% in Germany (which accepted by far the largest number of refugees in 2015) together filed around half of all asylum requests in both years. Some argue that migrants have been seeking to settle preferentially in national destinations that offer more generous social welfare benefits and host more established Middle Eastern and African immigrant communities. Others argue that migrants are attracted to more tolerant societies with stronger economies, and that the chief motivation for leaving Turkey is that they are not permitted to leave camps or work.Rick Lyman 12 September 2015 Eastern Bloc's Resistance to Refugees Highlights Europe's Cultural and Political Divisions The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/13/world/europe/eastern-europe-migrant-refugee-crisis.html 13 September 2015 12 September 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150912210603/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/13/world/europe/eastern-europe-migrant-refugee-crisis.html live A large number of refugees in Turkey have been faced with difficult living circumstances;Villasana Danielle October 2016 Picturing health: challenges for Syrian refugees in Turkey The Lancet 388 10056 2096–103 10.1016/S0140-6736(16)31647-6 27642017 6487863 thus, many refugees arriving in southern Europe continue their journey in attempts to reach northern European countries such as Germany, which are observed as having more prominent outcomes of security.Refugees United Nations High Commissioner for The sea route to Europe: The Mediterranean passage in the age of refugees UNHCR http://www.unhcr.org/en-us/protection/operations/5592bd059/sea-route-europe-mediterranean-passage-age-refugees.html 16 November 2016 17 November 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20161117210940/http://www.unhcr.org/en-us/protection/operations/5592bd059/sea-route-europe-mediterranean-passage-age-refugees.html live In contrast to Germany, France's popularity eroded in 2015 among migrants seeking asylum after being historically considered a popular final destination for the EU migrants.Adam Nossiter 17 September 2015 A Belated Welcome in France Is Drawing Few Migrants The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/18/world/europe/a-belated-welcome-in-france-is-drawing-few-migrants.html 17 September 2015 Migrants crowding onto the trains in Hungary shout, "Germany, Germany!" But they do not shout, "France, France." 20 September 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150920070039/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/18/world/europe/a-belated-welcome-in-france-is-drawing-few-migrants.html liveGregor Aisch Sarah Almukhtar Josh Keller Wilson Andrews 10 September 2015 The Scale of the Migrant Crisis, From 160 to Millions The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/09/10/world/europe/scale-of-migrant-crisis-in-europe.html 17 September 2015 17 September 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150917041830/http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/09/10/world/europe/scale-of-migrant-crisis-in-europe.html livethumb|Migrants along the Western Balkan route crossing from Serbia into Hungary, 24 August 2015 International reactions In September 2015, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg noted that NATO could play a long-term role stabilizing war-torn countries in the Middle East, North Africa, and in Afghanistan, but that "immediate measures, border, migrant, the discussion about quotas, so on – [are] civilian issues, addressed by the European Union.""NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, Bohuslav Sobotka met with the press Sept. 9. https://web.archive.org/web/20150923031741/http://www.praguepost.com/czech-news/49701-full-text-nato-secretary-general-jens-stoltenberg-in-prague 23 September 2015 ". The Prague Post. 10 September 2015. The Russian Federation released an official statement on 2 September 2015 reporting that the United Nations Security Council was working on a draft resolution to address the European migrant crisis, likely by permitting the inspection of suspected migrant ships.https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2015/09/02/world/europe/ap-un-united-nations-migrants.html Russia: Security Council Addressing Europe's Migrant Crisis Associated Press The New York Times 2 September 2015 2 September 2015 5 September 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150905071047/http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2015/09/02/world/europe/ap-un-united-nations-migrants.html live The International Organization for Migration claimed that deaths at sea increased ninefold after the end of Operation Mare Nostrum.https://www.reuters.com/article/us-europe-migrants-idUSKBN0NA07020150419 Up to 700 feared dead after migrant boat sinks off Libya Reuters 19 April 2015 24 February 2024 25 April 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230425123653/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-europe-migrants-idUSKBN0NA07020150419 live Amnesty International condemned European governments for "negligence towards the humanitarian crisis in the Mediterranean" which they say led to an increase in deaths at sea. In April 2015, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch criticised the funding of search and rescue operations. Amnesty International said that the EU was "turning its back on its responsibilities and clearly threatening thousands of lives".https://news.yahoo.com/400-migrants-died-boat-capsize-off-libya-ngos-184512068.html EU faces fury after new migrant shipwreck tragedy Yahoo! News 15 April 2015 18 April 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150418060128/http://news.yahoo.com/400-migrants-died-boat-capsize-off-libya-ngos-184512068.html live https://www.hrw.org/news/2015/04/19/eu-mediterranean-deaths-warrant-crisis-response EU: Mediterranean Deaths Warrant Crisis Response Human Rights Watch 19 April 2015 20 April 2015 21 April 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150421154829/http://www.hrw.org/news/2015/04/19/eu-mediterranean-deaths-warrant-crisis-response live Australian prime minister Tony Abbott said the tragedies were "worsened by Europe's refusal to learn from its own mistakes and from the efforts of others who have handled similar problems. Destroying the criminal people-smugglers was the centre of gravity of our border control policies, and judicious boat turnbacks was the key."https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/australiaandthepacific/australia/11551870/EU-should-follow-Australias-example-and-send-back-migrant-boats-says-Tony-Abbott.html EU should follow Australia's example and send back migrant boats, says Tony Abbott The Daily Telegraph 21 April 2015 London 5 April 2018 28 August 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180828093517/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/australiaandthepacific/australia/11551870/EU-should-follow-Australias-example-and-send-back-migrant-boats-says-Tony-Abbott.html live Then-U.S. President Barack Obama praised Germany for taking a leading role in accepting refugees."Obama tells Merkel he appreciates her leadership on migrant crisis https://web.archive.org/web/20150923061748/http://www.dw.com/en/obama-tells-merkel-he-appreciates-her-leadership-on-migrant-crisis/a-18676627 23 September 2015 ". Deutsche Welle. 27 August 2015. During his April 2016 visit to Germany, he praised German Chancellor Angela Merkel for being on "the right side of history" with her open-border immigration policy."Barack Obama says Angela Merkel 'on right side of history' over pro-refugee stance https://web.archive.org/web/20160427062223/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-04-25/merkel-%27on-right-side-of-history%27-over-refugee-stance-obama-says/7354418 27 April 2016 ". ABC News. 24 April 2016. In a report released in January 2016, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) denounced the EU response to the refugee crisis in 2015 and said that policies of deterrence and chaotic response to the humanitarian needs of those who fled actively worsened the conditions of refugees and migrants and created a "policy-made humanitarian crisis". According to MSF, obstacles placed by EU governments included "not providing any alternative to a deadly sea crossing, erecting razor wire fences, continuously changing administrative and registration procedures, committing acts of violence at sea and at land borders and providing completely inadequate reception conditions in Italy and Greece".Migration: European policies dramatically worsened the so-called 2015 "refugee crisis" http://www.msf.org/article/migration-european-policies-dramatically-worsened-so-called-2015-%E2%80%9Crefugee-crisis%E2%80%9D Médecins Sans Frontières 19 January 2016 27 January 2016 22 January 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160122041112/http://www.msf.org/article/migration-european-policies-dramatically-worsened-so-called-2015-%E2%80%9Crefugee-crisis%E2%80%9D live In March 2016, NATO General Philip Breedlove stated, "Together, Russia and the Assad regime are deliberately weaponizing migration in an attempt to overwhelm European structures and break European resolve. .. These indiscriminate weapons used by both Bashar al-Assad, and the non-precision use of weapons by the Russian forces – I can't find any other reason for them other than to cause refugees to be on the move and make them someone else's problem." http://www.dw.com/en/nato-commander-russia-uses-syrian-refugees-as-weapon-against-west/a-19086285 NATO Commander: Russia uses Syrian refugees as 'weapon' against West Deutsche Welle 2 March 2016 2 March 2016 2 March 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160302031933/http://www.dw.com/en/nato-commander-russia-uses-syrian-refugees-as-weapon-against-west/a-19086285 live He also expressed concern that criminals, extremists and ISIS fighters might be among the flow of migrants.Migrant crisis: Russia and Syria 'weaponising' migration https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-35706238 BBC News 2 March 2016 24 February 2024 18 February 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240218052818/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-35706238 live On 18 June 2016, United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon also called for international support and praised Greece for showing "remarkable solidarity and compassion" towards refugees.http://www.dw.com/en/un-chief-ban-ki-moon-urges-international-support-for-greece-over-refugees/a-19340214 UN chief Ban Ki-moon urges international support for Greece over refugees Deutsche Welle 20 June 2016 20 June 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160620102708/http://www.dw.com/en/un-chief-ban-ki-moon-urges-international-support-for-greece-over-refugees/a-19340214 livehttps://www.reuters.com/article/us-europe-migrants-greece-un-idUSKCN0Z40AQ Countries must do more to help Greece with migrant crisis: U.N. chief Reuters 1 July 2017 27 August 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170827022300/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-europe-migrants-greece-un-idUSKCN0Z40AQ live The lack of action by UNESCO in this area was the subject of controversy. Some scholars, like António Silva,fr Silva A. J. M. Le régime UNESCO (Discours et pratiques alimentaires en Méditerranée vol. III) Create Space 2016 978-1532997112 https://www.academia.edu/27222415 186–188 CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform 14 August 2016 29 January 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230129151755/https://www.academia.edu/27222415 live blamed UNESCO for not denouncing racism against war refugees in Europe with the same vigor as the vandalism against ancient monuments perpetrated by fundamentalists in the Middle East.August 2019 Aftermath Following the European Union's measures to prevent asylum seekers from reaching its borders, monthly arrivals dropped to around 10,000–20,000 in spring 2016. Arrival numbers fell in each of the following years, dropping to 95,000 by 2020.Mediterranean Situation https://data2.unhcr.org/en/situations/mediterranean live 29 August 2021 data2.unhcr.org https://web.archive.org/web/20160919092311/http://data2.unhcr.org/en/situations/mediterranean 19 September 2016 Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan continued to occasionally threaten to renege on Turkey's agreement to prevent migrants and refugees from reaching Europe, often demanding more cashhttps://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Turkey-cynically-pushes-migrants-toward-coronavirus-hit-Europe-621017 Turkey cynically pushes migrants toward coronavirus-hit Europe Jerusalem Post 15 March 2020 Seth J. Frantzman 28 August 2021 3 October 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20221003010400/https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/turkey-cynically-pushes-migrants-toward-coronavirus-hit-europe-621017 live or retaliating for European criticism of Turkey's human rights record. Effects on politics The refugee crisis polarized European society. In Western Europe, large majorities supported accepting refugees fleeing violence and war, while Eastern Europeans were generally more ambivalent. At the same time, however, large majorities also disapproved of the EU's handling of the refugee wave. thumb|Czech politician and leader of the right-wing populist party SPD, Tomio Okamura, speaks at an anti-immigration rally in Prague, 17 October 2015 As southeastern European countries began seeing large numbers of refugees and migrants began moving through them, political leaders began to capitalize on the uncertainty felt by locals. The Hungarian prime minister, Viktor Orbán, in particular began to campaign on fear of immigration, calling refugees "Muslim invaders",Agerholm Harriet 9 January 2018 Refugees are 'Muslim invaders', says Hungarian PM Viktor Orban https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/refugees-muslim-invaders-hungary-viktor-orban-racism-islamophobia-eu-a8149251.html live 13 July 2021 The Independent en https://web.archive.org/web/20180109125829/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/refugees-muslim-invaders-hungary-viktor-orban-racism-islamophobia-eu-a8149251.html 9 January 2018 conflating migrants with terrorism,Kaminski Matthew 23 November 2015 'All the terrorists are migrants': Viktor Orbán on how to protect Europe from terror, save Schengen, and get along with Putin's Russia https://www.politico.eu/article/viktor-orban-interview-terrorists-migrants-eu-russia-putin-borders-schengen/ live 13 July 2021 Politico en https://web.archive.org/web/20151123105848/http://www.politico.eu/article/viktor-orban-interview-terrorists-migrants-eu-russia-putin-borders-schengen/ 23 November 2015 and stating that they were part of a "left-wing conspiracy" to gain new voters.12 November 2015 Hungary's Orban suspects left-wing plot in migrant crisis en Reuters https://www.reuters.com/article/us-europe-migrants-orban-idUSKCN0T112G20151112 13 July 2021 13 July 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210713061914/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-europe-migrants-orban-idUSKCN0T112G20151112 live In October, Czech President Miloš Zeman used similar rhetoric to campaign on opposition to refugees.30 August 2015 President cites disease, terrorist sleeper cells as causes for concern http://www.praguepost.com/czech-news/49528-zeman-refugees-should-be-promptly-returned 5 September 2015 The Prague Post 1 September 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150901161935/http://www.praguepost.com/czech-news/49528-zeman-refugees-should-be-promptly-returned live The refugee crisis was also a major issue in Poland's 2015 parliamentary elections, with then-opposition leader Jarosław Kaczyński in particular stoking fear of immigrants and claiming the EU was planning to flood Poland with Muslims. Under incumbent prime minister Ewa Kopacz, Poland had agreed to accept 2,000 refugees as part of the European Union's plan to distribute a fraction of that year's arrivals, while at the same time opposing the settlement of "economic migrants".10 September 2015 Polish prime minister says accepting refugees is Poland's duty en Reuters https://www.reuters.com/article/us-europe-migrants-poland-idUSKCN0RA0SR20150910 13 July 2021 13 July 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210713075123/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-europe-migrants-poland-idUSKCN0RA0SR20150910 live After Kaczyński's Law and Justice party won the elections, Poland rescinded its willingness to cooperate with the European Commission."Poland's Duda Blasts EU `Dictate of the Strong' on Migrants https://web.archive.org/web/20170417072149/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-09-08/polish-president-blasts-eu-dictate-of-the-strong-on-migrants 17 April 2017 ". Bloomberg. 8 September 2015. Nigel Farage, leader of the British United Kingdom Independence Party, said that Islamists could exploit the situation and enter Europe in large numbers.4 September 2015 Video: Thousands of Isis fighters could use migrant crisis to 'flood' into Europe, Nigel Farage warns – Telegraph https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/nigel-farage/11844290/Thousands-of-Isil-fighters-could-use-migrant-crisis-to-flood-into-Europe-Nigel-Farage-warns.html dead https://web.archive.org/web/20150906191957/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/nigel-farage/11844290/Thousands-of-Isil-fighters-could-use-migrant-crisis-to-flood-into-Europe-Nigel-Farage-warns.html 6 September 2015 The Daily TelegraphAusnahmen für Asylbewerber – Landkreise wollen Mindestlohn senken Exceptions for Asylum Seekers – Organization of Districts wants to lower Minimum Wage http://www.n-tv.de/wirtschaft/Landkreise-wollen-Mindestlohn-senken-article15853956.html N-TV.de de 9 September 2015 5 September 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150905170350/http://www.n-tv.de/wirtschaft/Landkreise-wollen-Mindestlohn-senken-article15853956.html live In western European countries, although support for refugees was generally high,Connor Phillip 19 September 2018 Europeans support taking in refugees – but not EU's handling of issue https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2018/09/19/a-majority-of-europeans-favor-taking-in-refugees-but-most-disapprove-of-eus-handling-of-the-issue/ live 13 July 2021 Pew Research Center en https://web.archive.org/web/20180920043810/http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2018/09/19/a-majority-of-europeans-favor-taking-in-refugees-but-most-disapprove-of-eus-handling-of-the-issue/ 20 September 2018 far-right leaders fiercely opposed allowing the newly arrived refugees to stay. Matteo Salvini, leader of Italy's League, described the migration as a "planned invasion" which must be stopped.Salvini: smettiamola con questa invasione pianificata https://web.archive.org/web/20211114172651/https://www.la7.it/lariadestate/video/salvini-smettiamola-con-questa-invasione-pianificata-29-06-2015-158129 14 November 2021 , La7 Geert Wilders, leader of the Dutch Party for Freedom, called the influx of people an "Islamic invasion" and spoke of "masses of young men in their twenties with beards singing Allahu Akbar across Europe".10 September 2015 Wilders tells Dutch parliament refugee crisis is 'Islamic invasion' Reuters (US) https://www.reuters.com/article/us-europe-migrants-netherlands-idUSKCN0RA0WY20150910 24 February 2024 10 October 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20231010120832/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-europe-migrants-netherlands-idUSKCN0RA0WY20150910 live Marine Le Pen, leader of the French far-right National Front, was criticized by German media6 September 2015 Front National unterstellt Deutschland Interesse an Arbeitssklaven de Der Spiegel http://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/front-national-unterstellt-deutschland-interesse-an-arbeitssklaven-a-1051675.html 9 September 2015 9 September 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150909064119/http://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/front-national-unterstellt-deutschland-interesse-an-arbeitssklaven-a-1051675.html live7 September 2015 Berlin will mit Flüchtlingen "Sklaven rekrutieren" de Die Welt https://www.welt.de/politik/ausland/article146112084/Berlin-will-mit-Fluechtlingen-Sklaven-rekrutieren.html 6 March 2017 16 September 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170916052322/https://www.welt.de/politik/ausland/article146112084/Berlin-will-mit-Fluechtlingen-Sklaven-rekrutieren.html live for implying that Germany was looking to undercut minimum wage laws and hire "slaves".BWIHK-Präsident will Mindestlohn für Flüchtlinge aufweichen President wants to soften Minimum Wage Rules for Refugees https://www.welt.de/regionales/baden-wuerttemberg/article145573021/BWIHK-Praesident-will-Mindestlohn-fuer-Fluechtlinge-aufweichen.html Die Welt 24 August 2015 de 6 May 2020 6 May 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200506214840/https://www.welt.de/regionales/baden-wuerttemberg/article145573021/BWIHK-Praesident-will-Mindestlohn-fuer-Fluechtlinge-aufweichen.html live Germany's acceptance of over 1 million asylum seekers was controversial both within Angela Merkel's centre-right Christian Democratic Union party and among the general public.Hill Jenny 30 July 2013 Immigration fuels rising tension in Germany BBC https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-33700624 18 August 2015 19 August 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150819003253/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-33700624 live Pegida, an anti-immigration protest movement that had flourished briefly in late 2014, experienced a resurgence at the end of summer 2015.Connolly Kate 2015-10-27 'Like a poison': how anti-immigrant Pegida is dividing Dresden https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/oct/27/pegida-germany-anti-immigrant-group-polarising-dresden 2026-05-13 The Guardian en-GB 0261-3077 Many members of parliament for the CDU voiced dissatisfaction with Merkel. Horst Seehofer, then premier of Bavaria, became a prominent critic within the CDU of Merkel's refugee policy"Viktor Orbán, Bavaria's hardline hero https://web.archive.org/web/20180119194404/https://www.politico.eu/article/viktor-orban-bavaria-hardline-hero-seehofer-migration-borders/ 19 January 2018 ". Politico. 23 September 2015. and alleged that as many as 30 per cent of Germany's asylum seekers claiming to be from Syria were in fact from other countries."Refugee crisis: Many migrants falsely claim to be Syrians, Germany says as EU tries to ease tensions https://web.archive.org/web/20201108115237/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/germany/11891219/Refugee-crisis-Many-migrants-falsely-claim-to-be-Syrians-Germany-says-as-EU-tries-to-ease-tensions.html 8 November 2020 ". The Daily Telegraph. 25 September 2015. Yasmin Fahimi, secretary-general of the centre-left Social Democratic Party (SPD), the junior partner of the ruling coalition, praised Merkel's policy allowing migrants in Hungary to enter Germany as "a strong signal of humanity to show that Europe's values are valid also in difficult times".6 September 2015 Merkel splits conservative bloc with green light to refugees Reuters https://www.reuters.com/article/us-europe-migrants-germany-criticism/merkel-splits-conservative-bloc-with-green-light-to-refugees-idUSKCN0R60K820150906?edition-redirect=uk 9 February 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210209022526/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-europe-migrants-germany-criticism/merkel-splits-conservative-bloc-with-green-light-to-refugees-idUSKCN0R60K820150906?edition-redirect=uk live In the 2017 German federal election, the right-wing populist Alternative for Germany (AfD) gained 12% of the vote, which was attributed in part to anxieties around immigration.25 September 2017 German election: Merkel wins fourth term, AfD nationalists rise en-GB BBC News https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-41376577 19 July 2021 31 July 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210731164154/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-41376577 live A 2022 study by the Bertelsmann Foundation showed that positive and negative assessments have begun to "roughly balance each other out", with those surveyed for the study expressing concerns about additional burden on the welfare state and social conflict, while also hoping that the migrants "could solve Germany's demographic and economic problems.Deutsche Welle Germans less skeptical of immigration 16 February 2022 https://www.dw.com/en/germans-less-skeptical-of-immigration/a-60801783 29 August 2022 en-GB 29 August 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220829155534/https://www.dw.com/en/germans-less-skeptical-of-immigration/a-60801783 liveWillkommenskultur zwischen Stabilität und Aufbruch https://www.bertelsmann-stiftung.de/de/publikationen/publikation/did/willkommenskultur-zwischen-stabilitaet-und-aufbruch-all 29 August 2022 www.bertelsmann-stiftung.de de 29 August 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220829155536/https://www.bertelsmann-stiftung.de/de/publikationen/publikation/did/willkommenskultur-zwischen-stabilitaet-und-aufbruch-all live thumb|right|Viktor Orbán declares the government's victory after the publication of the preliminary result on the eve of the referendum. Subtitle: "Let us defend Hungary!" thumb|Italian far-right politician Matteo Salvini speaks at an anti-immigration rally in Turin, 2013 The Hungarian government under Fidesz held a referendum in 2016, where the overwhelming majority (98.4%) rejected the EU's mandatory migrant quotas, although the result was not considered valid because turnout fell short of the required 50% threshold, due to the opposition boycotting the referendum. Effects on 2016 Brexit vote Causes of the vote in favour of Brexit The 2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum took place on 23 June 2016, around nine months after peak of the refugee crisis. The UK was never a member of the Schengen Area and so experienced very few direct effects of the influx of migrants.May Theresa 25 April 2016 Home Secretary's speech on the UK, EU and our place in the world https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/home-secretarys-speech-on-the-uk-eu-and-our-place-in-the-world live 5 August 2021 UK Government en https://web.archive.org/web/20160426183627/https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/home-secretarys-speech-on-the-uk-eu-and-our-place-in-the-world 26 April 2016 Nevertheless, Leave.EU, one of the two main groups campaigning in favour of Brexit, made the refugee crisis its defining issue (the other main pro-Leave group, Vote Leave, primarily focused on economic arguments). The campaign portrayed the European Union as inept and unable to control its borders, and conflated the refugee crisis with unease over Turkey's application to join the EU (although very few of the 2015 refugees were from Turkey).Outhwaite William 28 February 2019 Menjívar Cecilia Ruiz Marie Ness Immanuel Migration Crisis and "Brexit" https://www.oxfordhandbooks.com/view/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190856908.001.0001/oxfordhb-9780190856908-e-7 The Oxford Handbook of Migration Crises Oxford Handbooks 10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190856908.001.0001 9780190856908 24 February 2024 14 May 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220514004151/https://www.oxfordhandbooks.com/view/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190856908.001.0001/oxfordhb-9780190856908-e-7 live Theresa May, then Home Secretary (and later prime minister), though critical of the European Union's immigration policy, opposed Brexit and argued that the UK was already well-isolated from immigration crises occurring in the wider EU: "Now I know some people say the EU does not make us more secure because it does not allow us to control our border. But that is not true. Free movement rules mean it is harder to control the volume of European immigration – and as I said yesterday that is clearly no good thing – but they do not mean we cannot control the border. The fact that we are not part of Schengen – the group of countries without border checks – means we have avoided the worst of the migration crisis that has hit continental Europe over the last year." Home Secretary, Theresa May The Brexit vote resulted in a narrow decision to leave the EU (51.9% to 48.1%). According to exit polls, one third of Leave voters believed leaving the EU would allow Britain to better control immigration and its own borders.Ashcroft Lord How the United Kingdom voted on Thursday... and why – Lord Ashcroft Polls 24 June 2016 https://lordashcroftpolls.com/2016/06/how-the-united-kingdom-voted-and-why/ lordashcroftpolls 24 February 2024 21 September 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200921170004/http://lordashcroftpolls.com/2016/06/how-the-united-kingdom-voted-and-why/ live http://lordashcroftpolls.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/How-the-UK-voted-Full-tables-1.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20231116051533/http://lordashcroftpolls.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/How-the-UK-voted-Full-tables-1.pdf 16 November 2023 Integration of refugees Integration of immigrants As of 2024, 64% of the migrants who had arrived in Germany in 2015 were employed, compared with 70% of the general population, although they earn around 30% less than the full-time median salary in the country. There is also a strong gender split, with 74% of men employed but only 35% of women.Brücker Herbert Jaschke Philipp Kosyakova Yuliya 2025-08-25 10 Jahre Fluchtmigration 2015: Was Integration fördert und was sie bremst https://iab-forum.de/10-jahre-fluchtmigration-2015-was-integration-foerdert-und-was-sie-bremst/ 2026-06-13 IAB-Forum de-DE In 2022, around 95% of migrants who had arrived in Germany in 2015 had taken a German language course. Around 80% had taken an "integration class." The same survey also showed that 56% of the 2015 cohort considered their German proficiency "very good" and a further 36% self-reported it as "passable."Eckard Jan https://www.bamf.de/SharedDocs/Anlagen/DE/Forschung/Kurzanalysen/kurzanalyse6-2025-ibs-gefluechtete-spracherwerb.pdf Zehn Jahre in Deutschland: Spracherwerb und Sprachförderung der Geflüchteten von 2015 und 2016 June 2025 Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge 2 de Rejected asylum seekers People whose asylum applications are rejected are generally required to return to their home countries. Some do so voluntarily; others are deported. However, deportation is often difficult in practice; a common reason is lacking travel documents or the person's country of origin refusing to accept returnees.Peter Laurence 8 September 2015 Migrant crisis: Who does the EU send back? en-GB BBC News https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34190359 19 July 2021 27 April 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190427091335/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34190359 live The annual rate of return has generally averaged around one-third.O'Leary Naomi 18 September 2020 EU to propose quick deportation of failed asylum seekers en The Irish Times https://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/europe/eu-to-propose-quick-deportation-of-failed-asylum-seekers-1.4358691 live 19 July 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20201022070946/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/europe/eu-to-propose-quick-deportation-of-failed-asylum-seekers-1.4358691 22 October 2020 In some countries that took in large numbers of asylum seekers, this has resulted in tens of thousands of people not having legal residency rights, raising worries of institutionalised poverty and the creation of parallel societies.Lindsay Frey 11 February 2020 Sweden Has A Problem Sending Asylum Seekers Back https://www.forbes.com/sites/freylindsay/2020/02/11/sweden-has-a-problem-sending-asylum-seekers-back/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20200212175054/https://www.forbes.com/sites/freylindsay/2020/02/11/sweden-has-a-problem-sending-asylum-seekers-back/ 12 February 2020 19 July 2021 Forbes en The years following the 2015 refugee crisis saw some European countries enact legislation to speed up deportations.Mischke Judith 7 June 2019 Germany Passes Controversial Migration Law https://www.politico.eu/article/germany-passes-controversial-migration-law/ 29 September 2022 Politico 29 September 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220929143123/https://www.politico.eu/article/germany-passes-controversial-migration-law/ live The EU began threatening to withhold development aid from or impose visa restrictions on countries refusing to take in their own citizens. For a variety of reasons, some rejected asylum seekers also ended up being permitted to stay. Some countries, such as Germany and Sweden, allow rejected asylum seekers to apply for certain other visas (e.g., to pursue vocational training if they have secured an apprenticeship).Wahnschaffe Anja 9 February 2021 Umstritten: Ausbildungsvisum für abgelehnte Asylbewerber https://www.br.de/nachrichten/deutschland-welt/abgelehnte-asylbewerber-kaempfen-um-einen-ausbildungsplatz,SOSGuaD live https://web.archive.org/web/20210209053408/https://www.br.de/nachrichten/deutschland-welt/abgelehnte-asylbewerber-kaempfen-um-einen-ausbildungsplatz,SOSGuaD 9 February 2021 19 July 2021 BR24 de Tightening of asylum laws Around November 2015, some European countries restricted family reunions for refugees, and started campaigns to dissuade people worldwide to migrate to Europe. EU leaders also quietly encouraged Balkan governments to only allow nationals from the most war-torn countries (Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq) to pass into the EU.Alison Smale 28 November 2015 Merkel, While Refusing to Halt Migrant Influx, Works to Limit It The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/29/world/europe/merkel-while-refusing-to-halt-migrant-influx-works-to-limit-it.html 28 November 2015 29 November 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151129034429/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/29/world/europe/merkel-while-refusing-to-halt-migrant-influx-works-to-limit-it.html live In 2016 Sweden began issuing three-year residence permits to recognized refugees. Refugees had previously received permanent residency automatically.21 June 2016 Ny skärpt asyllag klubbad Dagens Nyheter https://www.dn.se/nyheter/politik/ny-skarpt-asyllag-klubbad/ 21 June 2016 21 June 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160621161722/http://www.dn.se/nyheter/politik/ny-skarpt-asyllag-klubbad/ live In January 2016, Denmark passed a law permitting police to confiscate valuables like jewelry and cash from refugees. As of early 2019, the police had only enforced the cash-seizing provision.Barrett Michael 24 January 2019 Three years after Denmark's infamous 'jewellery law' hit world headlines, not a single piece has been confiscated https://www.thelocal.dk/20190124/three-years-after-denmarks-infamous-jewellery-law-hit-world-headlines-not-a-single-piece-has-been-confiscated/ 19 July 2021 19 July 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210719002745/https://www.thelocal.dk/20190124/three-years-after-denmarks-infamous-jewellery-law-hit-world-headlines-not-a-single-piece-has-been-confiscated/ live Post-traumatic stress Refugee health#Mental health Refugees, who have often fled violence their home countries and experienced further violence during their journey, have high rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).Mahmood Harem Nareeman Ibrahim Hawkar Goessmann Katharina Ismail Azad Ali Neuner Frank 2019 Post-traumatic stress disorder and depression among Syrian refugees residing in the Kurdistan region of Iraq Conflict and Health en 13 1 51 10.1186/s13031-019-0238-5 1752-1505 6842196 31728157 free In 2016 in Sweden, 30% of Syrian refugees were estimated to suffer from PTSD, depression, and anxiety.2016 Refugees battle mental health problems in Sweden – IFRC https://www.ifrc.org/ar/news-and-media/news-stories/europe-central-asia/sweden/refugees-battle-mental-health-problems-in-sweden-73709/?print=true live https://web.archive.org/web/20210720023133/https://www.ifrc.org/ar/news-and-media/news-stories/europe-central-asia/sweden/refugees-battle-mental-health-problems-in-sweden-73709/?print=true 20 July 2021 20 July 2021 Red Cross In 2020, a study of physically healthy young refugees in Germany identified 40% as having risk factors for PTSD.Abbott Alison How young refugees' traumatic pasts shape their mental health Nature 12 May 2020 10.1038/d41586-020-01408-3 32398817 Long asylum claim processing times, during which refugees cannot work or travel and contemplate being sent back to their home country, often compound poor mental health.Davaki Konstantina 19 April 2021 The traumas endured by refugee women and their consequences for integration and participation in the EU host country https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document.html?reference=IPOL_STU(2021)691875 live https://web.archive.org/web/20210720013120/https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document.html?reference=IPOL_STU(2021)691875 20 July 2021 20 July 2021 European Parliament European Parliament Think Tank en Although asylum applications are in principle supposed to be processed within six months on average, many countries that took in significantly more refugees than in previous years took considerably longer – in many cases over year and sometimes up to two.The length of asylum procedures in Europe https://www.ecre.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/AIDA-Brief-DurationProcedures.pdf 21 July 2021 European Council on Refugees and Exiles Asylum Information Database 22 July 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210722082602/https://ecre.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/AIDA-Brief-DurationProcedures.pdf live In Germany, refugees do not have access to non-acute medical care, including therapy mental health treatments, until they have lived in the country for at least 15 months. Language barriers also often make therapy particularly difficult. 2 August 2016 Wie werden Geflüchtete psychotherapeutisch versorgt? https://mediendienst-integration.de/artikel/wie-funktioniert-die-psychologische-versorgung-von-asylbewerbern.html live https://web.archive.org/web/20170909140346/http://mediendienst-integration.de/artikel/wie-funktioniert-die-psychologische-versorgung-von-asylbewerbern.html 9 September 2017 20 July 2021 Mediendienst Integration de Press coverage The Cardiff School of Journalism, in a report on behalf of UNHCR, analysed several thousand media reports on the refugee crisis in Spain, Italy, United Kingdom, Germany and Sweden. In all countries, conservative tabloids and newspapers, such as the British Daily Mail, the Spanish ABC and the German Welt, were found to be more likely to emphasize perceived risks of extremists among arriving refugees, while centre-left publications were more likely to mention humanitarian aspects. A similar split was apparent in the reasons for people fleeing their home countries: right-wing newspapers were more likely to mention economic reasons than left-of-centre ones.Press Coverage of the Refugee and Migrant Crisis in the EU: A Content Analysis of Five European Countries December 2015 Cardiff School of Journalism 1 http://www.unhcr.org/protection/operations/56bb369c9/press-coverage-refugee-migrant-crisis-eu-content-analysis-five-european.html 18 February 2018 18 February 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180218210455/http://www.unhcr.org/protection/operations/56bb369c9/press-coverage-refugee-migrant-crisis-eu-content-analysis-five-european.html live The study also found significant differences between countries, noting that right-wing media in the United Kingdom had conducted a "uniquely aggressive campaign" against refugees and migrants in 2015. Threats to welfare systems and cultural threats were most prevalent in Italy, Spain, and Britain while humanitarian themes were more frequent in Italian coverage. More subtle differences in were found in the terminology used: German and Swedish media overwhelmingly used the terms refugee or asylum seeker while Italy and UK were more likely to use the term migrant. In Spain, the dominant term was immigrant. Overall the Swedish press was most positive towards the arrivals. Press coverage of German migration policies Journalist Will Hutton for the British newspaper The Guardian praised Angela Merkel's leadership during the refugee crisis: "Angela Merkel's humane stance on migration is a lesson to us all... The German leader has stood up to be counted. Europe should rally to her side... She wants to keep Germany and Europe open, to welcome legitimate asylum seekers in common humanity, while doing her very best to stop abuse and keep the movement to manageable proportions. Which demands a European-wide response (...)".Will Hutton 30 August 2015 Angela Merkel's humane stance on immigration is a lesson to us all https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/aug/30/immigration-asylumseekers-refugees-migrants-angela-merkel 19 September 2015 The Guardian 19 September 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150919021421/http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/aug/30/immigration-asylumseekers-refugees-migrants-angela-merkel live Analyst Naina Bajekal for the United States' magazine Time in September 2015 suggested that the German decision to allow Syrian refugees to apply for asylum in Germany even if they had reached Germany through other EU member states in August 2015, led to increased numbers of refugees from Syria and other regions – Afghanistan, Somalia, Iraq, Ukraine, Congo, South Sudan etc. – endeavouring to reach (Western) Europe.Bajekal Naina 9 September 2015 The 5 Big Questions About Europe's Migrant Crisis https://time.com/4026380/europe-migrant-crisis-questions-refugees/ Time 16 June 2017 23 May 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170523023128/http://time.com/4026380/europe-migrant-crisis-questions-refugees/ live In March 2016, the UK's Daily Telegraph said that Merkel's 2015 decisions concerning migration represented an "open door policy", which it said was "encouraging migration into Europe that her own country is unwilling to absorb" and as damaging the EU, "perhaps terminally"."Angela Merkel's historic error on immigration https://web.archive.org/web/20171103175749/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/germany/angela-merkel/12193876/Angela-Merkels-historic-error-on-immigration.html 3 November 2017 ". The Daily Telegraph. 15 March 2016. Retrieved 18 July 2019 See also 2010s European Union Asia Africa Politics 30em 2015–2016 German migrant crisis African immigration to Europe Demographics of Europe Emigration from Africa Malta Declaration (European Union) Free movement protocol Illegal immigration Immigration to Greece List of migrant vessel incidents on the Mediterranean Sea Migrants' African routes Petra László incident Turkish migrant crisis Ukrainian refugee crisis Willkommenskultur With Open Gates Wir schaffen das Notes References Further reading 40em Books Zolberg Aristide R Suhrke Astri Aguayo Sergio 1989 Escape from Violence : Conflict and the Refugee Crisis in the Developing World https://books.google.com/books?id=dSX1n0xFNCgC New York Oxford University Press 9780195363623 26 August 2020 24 February 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240224122551/https://books.google.com/books?id=dSX1n0xFNCgC live Pécoud Antoine 2015 Depoliticising Migration: Global Governance and International Migration Narratives https://books.google.com/books?isbn=1137445939 London Palgrave Macmillan 978-1-349-49589-4 János Besenyő: Fences and Border Protection: The Question of Establishing Technical Barriers in Europe, AARMS, Vol 16, Issue 1, 2017, pp. 77–87. Recchi Ettore 2015 Mobile Europe: The Theory and Practice of Free Movement in the EU https://books.google.com/books?isbn=1137316020 London Palgrave Macmillan 978-1-349-59147-3 Lazaridis Gabriella Wadia Khursheed 2015 The Securitisation of Migration in the EU: Debates since 9/11 https://books.google.com/books?isbn=1137480572 London Palgrave Macmillan 978-1-137-48057-6 McMahon Simon 2015 Immigration and Citizenship in an Enlarged European Union: The Political Dynamics of Intra-EU Mobility https://books.google.com/books?isbn=1137433922 London Palgrave Macmillan 978-1-349-49278-7 Lazaridis Gabriella 2015 International Migration into Europe: From Subjects to Abjects https://books.google.com/books?id=VrvhoQEACAAJ London Palgrave Macmillan 978-1-349-67801-3 26 August 2020 24 February 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240224122503/https://books.google.com/books?id=VrvhoQEACAAJ live Odmalm Pontus 2014 The Party Politics of the EU and Immigration https://books.google.com/books?id=RCpHBQAAQBAJ London Palgrave Macmillan 978-1-349-34971-5 26 August 2020 24 February 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240224122420/https://books.google.com/books?id=RCpHBQAAQBAJ live Alonso Sonia Claro da Fonseca Saro 2011 Immigration, left and right Party Politics 18 16 865–884 10.1177/1354068810393265 146138620 Connor Phillip Quantifying immigrant diversity in Europe Ethnic and Racial Studies 37 11 2055–2070 10.1080/01419870.2013.809131 2014 145162384 Nagayoshi Kikuko Anti-immigration attitudes in different welfare states: Do types of labor market policies matter? International Journal of Comparative Sociology 56 2 Modood Tariq 2014 Understanding 'Death of Multiculturalism' discourse means understanding multiculturalism Journal of Multicultural Discourses 9 3 201–211 10.1080/17447143.2014.934254 143889235 2016 Immigration, free movement and the EU referendum National Institute Economic Review 236 Nagayoshi Kikuko Hjerm Mikael 2015 Anti-immigration attitudes in different welfare states: Do types of labor market policies matter? Andersson Hans 2016 Liberal Intergovernmentalism, spillover and supranational immigration policy Cooperation and Conflict 51 1 38–54 10.1177/0010836715597945 143089205 Weber Hannes 2015 National and regional proportion of immigrants and perceived threat of immigration: A three-level analysis in Western Europe International Journal of Comparative Sociology 56 2 116–140 10.1177/0020715215571950 154496672 Lozano AA etal Revisiting the European Union framework on immigrant integration: The European integration forum as a technology of agency Ethnicities 14 4 556–576 10.1177/1468796814528692 2014 147045313 Sasha Polakow-Suransky Go Back to Where You Came From: The Backlash Against Immigration and the Fate of Western Democracy 2017 Bold Type Books 978-1568585925 Media publications https://www.voanews.com/a/eu-wants-to-repatriate-illegal-bangladeshi-immigrants/3271523.html EU Wants to Repatriate 80,000 Illegal Bangladeshi Immigrants Maaz Hussain 6 April 2016 Voa News 30 May 2023 30 May 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230530231212/https://www.voanews.com/a/eu-wants-to-repatriate-illegal-bangladeshi-immigrants/3271523.html live External links Main migratory routes into the EU https://web.archive.org/web/20130602065333/http://www.frontex.europa.eu/trends-and-routes/migratory-routes-map 2 June 2013 , updated by Frontex Sea arrivals to Southern Europe https://web.archive.org/web/20160321204604/http://data.unhcr.org/mediterranean/regional.php 21 March 2016 , updated by UNHCR Missing migrants project, data on arrivals by sea and fatalities by IOM BBC News, EU migration: Crisis in graphics, 18 February 2016 Europe's migration crisis, graphics by Reuters Interactive map and graphic showing the flow of asylum seekers to European countries over time Europe's Migration Crisis https://web.archive.org/web/20150923124955/http://www.cfr.org/migration/europes-migration-crisis/p32874 23 September 2015 , backgrounder by the Council on Foreign Relations European Migrant Crisis Timeline Europe's Refugee Conundrums Refugee Roads – Documenting a bicycle tour along the Balkan route Europe's Refugee Crisis Was Made in America https://web.archive.org/web/20190622043105/https://www.thenation.com/article/europes-refugee-crisis-was-made-in-america/ 22 June 2019 Articles relating to the European migrant crisis Refugees in 2015 Migrant crisis European migrant crisis European migrant crisis European migrant crisis European migrant crisis Migrant crisis Category:Aftermath of the Libyan civil war (2011) Category:Refugees in Europe Category:Articles containing video clips Category:War in Iraq (2013–2017) Category:Refugees of the Arab Winter European migrant crisis Category:History of the Mediterranean Sea