Refugee Policy: Cruelty Fails to Uphold Order

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The author, a former UK Foreign Secretary, currently serves as the head of the International Rescue Committee.

The recent news of 78 people found dead and 500 missing after a boat capsized off the coast of Greece is more than just a tragedy. If the ships failed to fulfill their legal duty to rescue drowning individuals, then the area should be considered a crime scene. Regardless, the failure of European governments in addressing this issue is monumental.

Migrating management is a complex task. According to the latest UN data, approximately 110 million people, or one in every 74 people worldwide, are currently fleeing from conflicts and disasters. Out of this number, over 40 million are refugees or asylum seekers. European countries are handling 8 million refugees from Ukraine alone.

The majority of refugees, nearly 80 percent, reside in poor or middle-income countries. Turkey, Uganda, Pakistan, Colombia, and Lebanon, for instance, host more than a million refugees each. However, the policies implemented in Europe and the United States have been characterized by cruelty, incoherence, and inefficiency.

Every individual has the right to seek asylum from persecution, although not every claim will be successful. The main failure of current policies lies in the lack of safe and legal routes for individuals to exercise this right, which has become a major factor contributing to the flourishing of human smugglers. The border restrictions imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the US have made it impossible for people to access protection, leading to a significant increase in encounters at the US-Mexico border, reaching levels not seen in decades. Promoting cruelty does not result in order.

The Biden administration has implemented initiatives to repair the damage caused by the previous administration. For example, they have introduced 30,000 humanitarian visas per month for four Latin American countries and expanded refugee resettlement efforts. However, by denying their legal obligations, the government has announced plans to expel individuals who claim asylum after crossing the southern border for five years.

Meanwhile, the European Union still lacks agreed-upon and sufficient systems for refugees to access asylum from third countries, as well as processing capacity at crucial points and effective mechanisms for returning unsuccessful asylum seekers. Additionally, the UK government is attempting to de facto criminalize the act of arriving in the country and claiming asylum.

There are four essential lessons for Western nations to learn from this situation. Firstly, combat misinformation that prevents people from being aware of pathways to protection, their rights, and the processes followed in countries of asylum. The International Rescue Committee’s digital platform, Signpost, has reached over 36 million displaced individuals across 18 countries, providing support throughout their journeys.

Secondly, provide humane reception, fair and organized processes, and alternatives to detention. Approaches such as those implemented in some American states, including Arizona, prevent asylum-seekers from being released onto the streets. Similarly, community-based alternatives to detention, such as the family case management program in the US, have resulted in a 99 percent compliance rate with immigration proceedings, providing more humane treatment at a fraction of the cost of detention.

Thirdly, expand safe and sustainable resettlement pathways for refugees. Commitments of at least 10,000 annually for the UK, 125,000 for the US, and 44,000 for the EU next year would begin to address the scale of the need. There is room for innovative approaches to expedite integration into new countries. Sponsor-based programs for Ukrainians in the UK and EU could serve as models for expanding refugee resettlement schemes.

Lastly, while the causes of conflicts are complex, it is crucial to increase humanitarian aid and technical assistance to address the root causes of displacement and provide support to poorer nations hosting refugees, particularly as climate adaptation becomes more necessary.

The current crisis is rooted in numerous armed conflicts occurring worldwide. However, refugees are victims twice over, being forced to leave their homes and then being rejected when seeking safety. This is unacceptable and unnecessary.