Title

An Analysis of the Migration Policies of the European Union and Their Effectiveness in Managing the Current Migration Crisis

Author

Michael Blair, Concordia University - Portland

Date of Award

1-1-2016

Document Type

Thesis

College

College of Theology, Arts, & Sciences

Department

International Development and Service

Degree Name

International Development and Service, MA

First Supervisor

Dr. Gerd Horten

Abstract

The current migration of individuals into the European Union is creating an unparalleled and unprecedented crisis that has completely overwhelmed the EU Member States. Migrants entering the European Union have done so via dangerous and deadly sea and land routes, resulting in a devastating humanitarian crisis throughout Europe. As conflicts and instability around the world continue to evolve and escalate, larger flows of migrants continue to pour into the European Union causing the irregular migration of people across Europe’s borders. To counter this, European Union officials have attempted to create migration policies based on border management and security ideals. However, many authors, researchers, humanitarian groups, non-governmental organizations, and some policymakers have countered this approach and called upon the European Union to expand its policies to include more humanitarian measures. Up to this point, the Union remains thoroughly fragmented and indecisive in its response. With this research on the European Union migration policies, along with case studies of EU Member States such as Germany, Hungary, and Greece, the goal of this thesis is to advance new approaches to this difficult situation and to provide policy recommendations, program advice as well as suggestions for further analysis.

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