Catastrophic events, political instability, and resource scarcity are few of the factors that have increased immigration. People from Africa, Asia, and other war-torn Nations tend to search for a greener pasture in Europe and other parts of the world. Due to some circumstances beyond their control, most of these people make an unprepared-perilous journey through the Mediterranean to get to Europe. Cultural factors, economic factors, and possible human integration are few factors facilitating immigration.

Going back in history, animals migrate, if plants could move they would have migrated too. Immigration is a “phenomenon” that does not apply to humans alone.

Illegal immigration is currently one of the top trending issues in European. Of course, wherever there is resource availability, work or safety there are going to be migratory movements. According to Human Rights Organizations, over 900,000 migrants from Africa and Asia arrived in Europe last year, and this value is expected to increase by 10 percent in 2018.  As European nations struggle to fashion out a workable system to mitigate this issue, a borderless Europe created by the Schengen treaty is under serious tension.

What are the ways to mitigate this unavoidable issue? The search for a European solution has proven to be arduous, as cultural and political differences between member countries become more and more evident. Here are a few possible solutions that could help in curtailing mass immigration to Europe:

There Is a Need to Secure Europe’s External Borders

Tightening external borders within the Schengen area can guarantee freedom. More so, EU neighbouring countries require much-needed support to curtail citizens’ immigration for economic reasons. European asylum laws should, however, be clearly defined and a measurable assistance is to be established to support those who need help.

Provide People at Risk with Protection and Assistance in Their Own Countries

Over the past 30 years, progress has been made to initiate a legal framework for protecting internally displaced persons; this now needs to be taken more seriously by developing national laws and flexible policies. More rehabilitation centers should be instituted in the respective countries.

Migration Drivers Should Be Addressed

Currently, immigrants arriving in Malta, for instance, go directly to processing centers. Then why would immigrants put their lives in danger if they could be processed? The idea would be for European nations to have potential immigrants processed on the North African shores before boarding the passenger ship sailing to Europe. This means that immigration centers should be built on the North African shore. Some will clearly be tagged as economic migrants. Some of the immigrants will qualify for refugee protection under the 1951 Convention. Some, however, would be sent home.

Other Possible Solutions:

• EU countries need to help refugees as soon as they leave their home countries, not just when they arrive in Europe.
• A sharing mechanism should be devised in order to shoulder the burden fairly among European countries.
• The EU has to show commitment to supporting refugees by instituting well-equipped rehabilitation centers.
• Europe must acknowledge that implicit policymaking by a single country has large effects on neighbours.

From a historical perspective, immigration is a positive phenomenon that fosters development and encourages ethnic diversity. “Immigrants bring new ideas,” says Ben Higgins. They contribute to the economy of their host nations and more to the economy of their countries of origin by sending small amounts of their disbursement to their families. “They do not take other peoples’ jobs,” says Ward. European Nations need joint economic, financial, diplomatic, military resource, and the ease to resolve conflicts in neighbouring regions by political means and induce other regional powers to engage with each other constructively.