Research Article

Evaluating the Securitized Migration Policy of the European Union in the Context of Border Security

Volume: 8 Number: 1 January 29, 2024
EN

Evaluating the Securitized Migration Policy of the European Union in the Context of Border Security

Abstract

The securitization theory, formulated by the Copenhagen School, has become one of the most widely used approaches to explain the relationship between migration and security. This study focuses on the reflections of the European Union’s (EU) securitized migration policy on the influence of border policies within the framework of securitization theory. In other words, the securitization of migration in the EU has been examined in terms of rising walls and technological developments at the borders of the member states. During the surge in migration flows to the EU, the evolution of border security in countries has been scrutinized. As a result of research, similar practices in border security have been identified in member states. In this study, firstly, it has been revealed that the EU has laid the groundwork for the development of security-focused policies in border security by providing financial and technical assistance, as well as offering training and equipment support to member states. Secondly, the study emphasizes the EU’s ability to devise border security strategies that are both productive and enduring. Furthermore, it raises critical questions about the implementation of extraordinary measures under the guise of security and the consequences of securitization on border policies.

Keywords

securitisation , border security , European Union , migration policy , Copenhagen School

References

  1. Adamson, F. B. (2006). Crossing Borders: International Migration and National Security. MIT Press, 31(1), 165-199. https://www.jstor.org/stable/4137542
  2. Andersson, R. (2015). Hardwiring the frontier? The politics of security technology in Europe’s ‘fight against illegal migration. Security Dialogue, 47(1), 22-39. DOI: 10.1177/0967010615606044
  3. Angeli, D., Triandafyllidou, A. & Dimitriadi, A. (2014, October). Assessing the cost-effectiveness of irregular migration control policies in Greece. MIDAS Report. https://www.eliamep.gr/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/MIDAS-Policy-Paper-EN.pdf
  4. Ayed, N. (2019, January 18). Walled world: Lessons from Europe’s border barriers. CBCNews. https://newsinteractives.cbc.ca/longform/a-world-of-walls-europes-lessons-in-border-barriers/
  5. Baczynska, G. & Ledwith, S. (2016, April 4). How Europe built fences to keep people out. Reuters Europe News. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-europe-migrants-fences-insight-idUSKCN0X10U7
  6. Beaudouin, C. (2009). Immigration policy: From loss of sovereignty to loss of identity? In K. Heeger, K. Lorant (Eds.), The EU from a critical perspective: A Selection of articles from EU Watch (pp.274-283). European Parliament.
  7. Berberakis, S. (2022, May 31). Yunanistan, Türkiye sınırındaki çelik duvarı üç misline çıkarmakta kararlı. BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/turkce/haberler-dunya-61647455
  8. Besenyo, J. (2017). Fences and border protection: The question of establishing technical barriers in Europe. Academic and Applied Research in Military and Public Management Science, 16(16), 77-87. DOI: 10.32565/aarms.2017.1.7
  9. Booth, K., Dardiry, S., Grant, L., & Others. (2013). Yunanistan ve Türkiye arasında Frontex: Geri çevrilme sınırı. Uluslararası İnsan Hakları Federasyonu. https://www.fidh.org/IMG/pdf/rapport_tu_web-sommr-tu-ok.pdf
  10. Brunnersum, S. (2023, August 21). Bulgaria migrant pushbacks: What’s behind the rise in violence at the Bulgarian-Turkish border? Infomigrants. https://www.infomigrants.net/en/post/51197/bulgaria-migrant-pushbacks-whats-behind-the-rise-in-violence-at-the-bulgarianturkish-border-14
APA
Altunbaş, Ç., & Memisoglu, F. (2024). Evaluating the Securitized Migration Policy of the European Union in the Context of Border Security. Lectio Socialis, 8(1), 35-56. https://doi.org/10.47478/lectio.1412017