The Tiny Italian Island of Lampedusa: A Glimpse into Our Global Future
The picturesque island of Lampedusa, nestled between Italy and North Africa, seems like the perfect holiday destination. With its beautiful beaches, vibrant bars, and delectable restaurants, it has all the makings of an idyllic getaway. However, recent years have transformed this paradise into a nightmarish microcosm of the challenges the entire world will face in the 21st century, including the United States.
Lampedusa has always had a tumultuous history. In the 1500s, it was raided by North African pirates who captured its entire population and enslaved them. Today, the island has become a primary entry point for African migrants seeking to reach Europe. I witnessed this firsthand during my visit seven years ago, as I watched boats arrive and spoke with the migrants upon their landing. The locals initially displayed tolerance towards the influx of newcomers, encouraged by figures like the Pope advocating for acceptance. However, the authorities recognized the unsustainable nature of accommodating these arrivals indefinitely. Consequently, the island’s holding camps were quickly emptied, and migrants were transported to Sicily and then to the Italian mainland. From there, they were free to wander throughout Europe and settle wherever they pleased. During 2015-2016 alone, over a million individuals entered Europe through similar routes.
This summer, Lampedusa experienced another unprecedented surge in migrants. In less than 48 hours, more than 8,000 individuals arrived on the island via 160 different boats—surpassing the local population within just two days. A local priest aptly described the situation as an “apocalypse.” This may invoke memories of recent New York Mayors and their struggles with similar challenges. However, this priest’s observation holds true not only for Lampedusa but also for what awaits the developed world, including the United States.
It is worth noting that Italy currently has a right-wing government led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who came to power pledging to address the immigration crisis. Despite her anti-immigration rhetoric and authority, even she appears powerless in the face of these overwhelming circumstances. Meloni regularly points the blame at the European Union, but such finger-pointing achieves little. I must mention that Meloni and I have a strained relationship, as she once threatened to sue me—a quintessential example of “not friendly.” However, on the topic of the border problem, she has been vocal. Yet, she remains obstructed. Her predecessor, Matteo Salvini, attempted to restrict boat landings during his tenure overseeing immigration policy. His reward? Years of legal battles in Italy, including kidnapping charges, simply because he refused to allow illegal boats to enter the country. This narrative surrounding a tiny island on a distant continent holds great significance, as it reflects the current state of affairs in the United States and provides a glimpse into our own future.
In recent weeks, Mayor Adams, Governor Hochul, and other American politicians have come face-to-face with the consequences of their choices. Like their Northern European counterparts, they believed that embracing pro-migrant policies such as “welcoming all migrants,” “sanctuary cities,” and “right to shelter” would paint them as compassionate, liberal leaders. They presumed that these policies would bear no costs for them, only penalties if they appeared unkind. Consequently, they inadvertently incentivized illegal entry into America, rendering existing legal systems for asylum and work permits obsolete. Why maintain an expansive bureaucratic infrastructure to manage legal migration when illegal migration is granted free rein? The answer is simple: it is easier to neglect border enforcement. Politicians prefer proposing short-term fixes like work permits for recent arrivals while ignoring the root of the problem.
In the developed world, countries with borders or close proximity to the developing world will inevitably face overwhelming challenges in this century. The ease and affordability of international movement have never been greater. Smartphones have penetrated every corner of the globe, exposing people to aspirations of a higher standard of living. Moreover, these devices connect individuals with countless others who can advise on how to infiltrate countries and enjoy the desired lifestyle. For Europe, the developing regions of Africa and the Middle East lie right on their doorstep, offering access to hundreds of millions of potential migrants. This influx has the potential to dwarf the population of the entire United States. Polls conducted a few years back revealed that one-third of Sub-Saharan Africans desire to migrate to Europe. Similarly, the United States shares borders with nations whose cultural differences are deemed less stark than those between Africans and Europeans. Nonetheless, the American experiment is destined to fail. This is due to the same misjudgments made by European politicians: underestimating the sheer number of people aspiring to enter and overestimating our ability to integrate and benefit from their presence.
Lampedusa exemplifies these challenges, as do the border towns of Texas and Arizona. Spreading the arrivals across the country may provide temporary relief, but it only postpones the inevitable consequences. A society is not a limitless experimental ground; it is a unique home. Failure to acknowledge this reality and laxity towards it may delay the repercussions temporarily, but ultimately, we will all resemble Lampedusa. Unless we have politicians willing to enforce the law and deter illegal immigration by returning offenders despite the consequences, we are doomed to succumb to the same fate.
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