Securitizing European Migration; A Conceptual Framework

Abstract

In the current global context, migration to the European Union has become an issue of controversy. The increasing migratory flows of economic or labour migrants, asylum seekers or war refugees are said to have called for action in the European Union’s security landscape. Further, a number of research studies that concern the migration and security nexus have defined migration as a central dimension of a rounded security agenda. Even international law does not recognise the right to enter another country. Further, the activities of the governing bodies that execute security measures at borders have been questioned and accused for their actions. The above, highlights the need for better policies that would operate beyond the mere military concerns, which incorporates freedom and well-being of the migrants, that would provide true meaning to the European Union’s migration policy rubric; ‘Freedom, Security and Justice’ The European Union’s migration policies are diverse in nature and numerous in number as there are various aspects to be considered. Among the policy categories there are two separate agendas for migration and security. Hence, it is believed that migration should be an essential part of a national security strategy while national security should be embedded in the migration policy in return. Thus migration should be part of migration policy with security as a frame of reference. In light of the current security threats faced by the European Union in relation to migration, the study will examine the possibilities of the security agenda being incorporated into the migration policy agenda, to function as a single framework for a more secure and a sustainable approach on migration. Further the study will assess, whether the migration policies armed with a security agenda would point the region in a clear direction in relation to the security issues the region faces which are linked with migration.