Towards a Common European Union Immigration Policy: Navigating a Difficult Obstacle Course

Abstract

Preliminary considerationsEurope has had a long history of being the final destination that millions of people throughout time have tried to reach in search of a better, more secure, more fulfilling life. As such, migration has been an integral part of the continent's history and, for better or worse, has shaped and transformed it in many different ways. It is clear that migration still shapes and transforms the contemporary European Unionbut these days, more often than not, the omnipresent discussions and fears triggered by a "migration crisis" appear to transform it into a rather hostile environment designed to make life difficult for newcomers and to deter others from following suit. The term Abstract: The following article focuses on the various attempts that have been carried out to reform the migration and asylum legislation of the European Union. It examines the current perceptions about migration following the 2015-2016 migration and refugee crisis, and then briefly traces the historical evolution of the current legal framework on migration and asylum.My aim is to show how this evolution has reached the point where any attempts to reform the system are primarily driven by security, rather than humanitarian considerations, which makes consensus on any contentious issue very difficult to achieve, a fact highlighted in the third section of the present contribution. The conclusions discuss the limited scope of the latest attempt to overhaul the existing immigration framework, arguing that EU member states are still reluctant to transfer decision-making responsibilities to the supranational level regarding what they consider a matter crucial to their national sovereignty.