Estimated time of reading: ~ 6 minutes

The European Union is facing complex migration challenges while simultaneously advancing its defense strategy under the “ReArm Europe” initiative. These two critical issues intersect as migration management and border security are integral to ensuring the EU’s stability and security. Irregular migration has significantly declined since its peak in 2015, but it remains a politically sensitive issue. The EU is working to implement a revamped asylum pact by 2026 to streamline asylum processes and deportations, though rights groups warn of potential threats to asylum seekers’ rights. Efforts to combat human smuggling networks continue, with lawmakers set to vote on a new directive addressing migrant smuggling in 2025. However, critics argue that focusing solely on smugglers neglects the root causes of migration and increases risks for those attempting dangerous crossings. The EU is also moving toward fast-tracking asylum procedures and deportations, including expanding the list of “safe countries” and establishing return hubs outside the EU. Some member states support outsourcing asylum processing, as seen in Italy’s partnership with Albania to transfer non-vulnerable migrants for processing. While aimed at easing border pressure, this approach has faced legal challenges and criticism from NGOs over detention risks and restricted access to fair asylum procedures. Advances in border automation and AI-driven security tools, such as drones and surveillance cameras, are becoming central to migration management. While these technologies enhance border control, rights groups caution against potential misuse and discriminatory profiling. In parallel, the “ReArm Europe” initiative, unveiled in March 2025 by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, represents a major shift in EU defense policy. The €800 billion investment plan aims to bolster military capabilities over the next decade in response to growing security threats. The plan allows member states to exceed budget deficit limits by 1.5% to boost defense spending, facilitates joint military procurement through a €150 billion loan, repurposes existing EU funds for defense needs, and involves the European Investment Bank in attracting private capital for military projects. Migration management is deeply connected to border security, a core component of both migration policy and the broader defense strategy. “ReArm Europe” emphasizes securing external borders by funding physical barriers and deploying advanced surveillance technologies. The initiative also indirectly impacts migration by addressing instability in neighboring regions through military measures, including enhanced peacekeeping missions and cyber defense against organized crime networks involved in human trafficking. While these efforts strengthen security, they also raise ethical concerns about balancing humanitarian obligations with border control measures. Policies such as outsourcing asylum processing or fast-tracking deportations may prioritize border security over human rights, and AI-driven surveillance could create disparities in treatment between migrants and EU citizens. The financial burden of migration management intersects with defense spending under “ReArm Europe,” requiring significant resources. Migration policies, including relocation schemes and return hubs, demand substantial investments, while member states must also allocate funds to meet increased defense spending targets. These financial pressures could strain national budgets and create tensions over resource allocation. The simultaneous focus on migration management and defense reflects the EU’s attempt to address multidimensional challenges in an increasingly unpredictable world. However, political divisions persist, as member states often disagree on migration policies such as burden-sharing and outsourcing asylum processing. Human rights organizations continue to challenge policies perceived as undermining international asylum laws or endangering migrants’ lives. Economic constraints add another layer of complexity, as balancing investments in migration management with increased defense spending tests the fiscal capacities of member states. As the EU moves forward with its asylum reforms and “ReArm Europe,” careful navigation of these challenges will be crucial to ensuring that policies align with security needs while upholding humanitarian principles. Migration issues remain intricately linked to broader security concerns, and while these initiatives aim to enhance stability, they must strike a delicate balance between safeguarding borders, respecting human rights, and addressing the root causes of migration through sustainable solutions.

Written by: Nenad Stekić