Migración y seguridad: perspectivas de Europa

Resumen

Irregular migration, that is the one that takes place outside of legal channels, carries a \nseries of risks that justify approaching it as a matter of security. These risks work on a \ndouble level; national security and human security. This essay examines the risks \noperating on the latter that is those affecting migrants, specifically in relation with the \nsouthern border of the EU. The existing model of irregular migration in this area is based \non the extraction of profits by facilitators, most of whom belong to Organized Crime. Both \nthe EU and its member countries have recognized the nature of the problem and have \nput in place measures aimed at increasing border control and pushing barriers further \nsouth. However, this has not reduced the demand for the services of facilitators or their \nturnover. This can be partly explained by the flawed approach of some measures which \nignore that migration is a multidimensional phenomenon with a reduced sensibility to the \npolicies of countries of destination. A better understanding of migration would help to \ncome up with a more adequate response, aimed at managing migration rather than trying \nto stop it. This involves creating legal alternatives to irregular migration, redriving the \nfocus of deterrence measures and providing real incentives so the countries of origin and \ntransit become part of the solution, instead of part of the problem.