Another Summer, Another Border Crisis
Last summer the US saw one of its worst border crisis issues in history. At the time SGP reported on the issue some 60,000 unaccompanied minors had crossed the US-Mexico border fleeing several Central American counties. Well here we are in another summer season and a similar scene is playing itself out, but not on our border. This time the border crisis is occurring with our neighbors across the pond. England and France are fighting to secure the border they share at the English Channel as thousands of migrants from countries throughout Africa and Asia attempt to sneak into the UK.
The town of Calais, the epicenter of this crisis, sits in northern France on the English Channel and serves as both a major ferry port and the French entrance site for the English Channel Tunnel that connects France and the United Kingdom. In recent months the town has turned into a makeshift refugee camp as thousands of migrants from places like Syria, Afghanistan, Eritrea and Sudan are escaping war and economic depression seeking a better life. For most that better life is available in the UK where English is the official language, unemployment is lower than other countries in Europe and the pound is holding its own against the Euro. But the journey is perilous. According to BBC reports, nine individuals have died between June 1 and today, but each night hundreds continue to try climbing over or cutting through barbed wire fencing, hopping on moving trains or vehicles, or hiding in the tunnels awaiting transport opportunities. France has deployed riot police to assist local authorities and handling the situation which repeats itself nightly. On Sunday the police apprehended 700 individuals in freight compartments at the terminal. When questioned by a NY Times reporter one individual said “I know it’s not safe to jump on a moving train. But we have no choice. If you had a choice, why would you do this?”
In the first half of 2015 alone Europe has seen an increase of 83% in the number of migrants seeking asylum. Much like the US border crisis of last year—where many were fleeing the cartel ridden countries of the Northern Triangle—Europe’s migrants are typically fleeing civil war torn regions, and it brings to light a specific problem with a not so specific solution. Countries that absorb these individuals, even rich countries, incur substantial costs, making this issue not just one of humanitarianism but also fiscal responsibility. And since many are fleeing terrible conditions it also makes this an issue of foreign policy. Is it possible that better foreign policies would aid these ravaged countries in making safer more prosperous nations, thereby negating the need for debates on border security? It’s an interesting proposition that currently has no answer. In the meantime, the UK and France are scrambling to control the situation in Calais, while the US continues to debate its border issues and the next country to face the issue unknowingly awaits its turn.
Image courtesy of Fauquier Free Citizen
