Decline in Unauthorized Migration to EU Amid Rising Tensions

Unauthorized migration to the EU has declined significantly this year, despite a rise in anti-immigrant sentiment and far-right political gains. There's a sharp increase in migrant arrivals to the Canary Islands. Migration remains a hot topic, with data indicating fewer unauthorized entries over the EU's southern borders compared to last year.

Unauthorized migration to European Union countries has plummeted in the first eight months of this year, even as political rhetoric against migrants heats up and far-right parties gain traction. Despite the overall decline, there has been a notable rise in migrant arrivals to the Canary Islands, used as an alternative route to Europe.

Irregular migration was a key issue in the European parliamentary elections in June and influenced recent state elections in Germany, where a far-right party won for the first time since World War II. In response, the German government has expanded border controls following extremist attacks. According to the United Nations International Organization for Migration, unauthorized crossings over the EU's southern borders dropped by 35% from January to August, with approximately 115,000 migrants arriving without permission, compared to over 176,000 last year.

Data from the EU's border and coast guard agency Frontex supports this trend, showing a 39% decrease in unauthorized crossings this year. Experts argue that irregular migration is receiving disproportionate attention compared to other pressing issues like climate change. Despite efforts to curb migration through crackdowns in countries like Tunisia and Libya, smuggling networks continue to adapt, finding new routes and methods to evade border controls.

(With inputs from agencies.)