 Evaluation of EU Immigration Policy Towards North Africa By the Monitors of International Immigration

Background  In recent years, immigration from Northern Africa to the EU has increased drastically  Multi-faceted problem  Influences resources of EU states  Impacts foreign relations, national security  Each state has own laws regarding the issue, but more coherence is needed

Migratory Routes

Undocumented Immigration  Illegal immigrants as defined by EU  Individuals who illegally enter a member state  Those who enter with a valid visa but “overstay”  Those exempted from visa requirements due to nationality, but seek employment that conflicts with visa authorization

Undocumented Immigration  Problem areas:  Strait of Gibraltar  Canary Islands  Early Warning System  “Externalize” border control

Drug Smuggling  Iberian Peninsula is major entry point  National security issue for Spain and Portugal  Smuggling carried out via aircraft and vehicle through sparsely populated Sahara Desert region

Asylum Seekers  Can only apply to nation where they arrived  Common EU asylum policy hard to formulate  Criticism of EU policies  No guarantee of seekers’ rights

Recommendations  More secure visa policies  Better information sharing and collaboration  Combating corruption in Western Africa  National quotas for asylum seekers