The Historical Roots of the West’s Immigration Crises.

We’re all familiar with the term “immigration crisis” that has been widely discussed across Europe and North America. Right-wing politicians, activists and commentators all often frame the situation as a pseudo-biblical calamity waiting to happen. Their charged rhetoric against immigrants is intense, and reporting on crimes committed by or against immigrants has surged (although their reliability is a different subject altogether).

In this article, we’ll delve into the historical perspective of immigration in the West, focusing on the colonial roots of immigration. We will attempt to break down this debate into political and media narratives by focusing on rhetoric and substance as key factors in the media’s portrayal of immigration. We will also touch the economic implications of immigration, look at labour market dynamics, and discuss the trends in culture that immigration brings – including the rise of rise of xenophobia and nationalism. The ultimate aim of this article is to discuss global policy on immigration and briefly compare countries with different border strategies before concluding with the future outlook on immigration.

European Colonialism and Post-Colonial Migration

Europe's immigration crises have been shaped by a complex and multifaceted history. To understand the roots of its contemporary challenges, we need to delve into various historical, political and economic developments across different time periods, including economic restructuring, geopolitical conflicts and the creation of the European Union (EU). These factors have created a dynamic interplay that continues to influence migration flows and the crises arising from them today.

A significant source of Europe’s current immigration crisis lies in its colonial past, which spanned from the 16th century until the mid-20th century. European powers like Great Britain, France, Spain, Portugal, Belgium and the Netherlands established vast colonies in Africa, Asia, and the Americas, exploiting these regions for resources and labour.

Colonial powers often relied on the migration of labourers to different parts of their empires –for example, the British Empire moved large numbers of Indian and Caribbean workers across various colonies, while the French brought in North African labourers to work domestically in its industries. The establishment of these colonial networks laid the groundwork for future migration routes that persisted long after the formal end of colonialism.

After the decolonization process in the mid-20th century, many former colonies experienced political instability, economic hardship and conflicts, leading to waves of migration to Europe, as people sought better economic opportunities and safety. Some European nations even encouraged migration from their former colonies to fill labour shortages after World War II. Great Britain, for instance, saw an influx of migrants from the Caribbean (known as the ‘Windrush’ generation) and South Asia, while France received migrants from Algeria, Tunisia, and Morocco.

Slavery and Economic Exploitation

Colonial conquest was not just about land and resources; it was also about people. The Atlantic slave trade, driven by European demand for labour, forcibly brought millions of Africans to the Americas. This brutal system of slavery formed the economic foundation of countries like the United States, where enslaved African labour powered the agricultural economy. The exploitation of Black and Brown labour did not end with slavery -- racial segregation, low wages and exclusionary policies continued to marginalize African Americans long after the Emancipation Proclamation, preventing them from fully participating in the economic prosperity they helped build.

This legacy of economic exploitation extended beyond slavery into the modern era. Western powers have consistently benefited from the labour of migrants from former colonies and underdeveloped countries while denying them the same rights and opportunities as native-born citizens. In this way, today’s immigration policies are a continuation of the racial and economic hierarchies established during the colonial period.

Post-War Economic Restructuring and Labor Migration

Europe’s post-World War II reconstruction era marked another pivotal moment in the history of immigration to the continent. In the aftermath of war, much of Europe’s infrastructure was in ruins and a labour shortage plagued countries such as Germany, France and the UK. To address this, European governments turned to foreign labour. The German "Gastarbeiter" (guest worker) programs in the 1950s and 1960s, for example, brought in large numbers of workers from Turkey, Italy, Greece and Yugoslavia. These programs were initially intended to be temporary, with the workers expected to return home after completing their contract, although many ended up staying. This led to multiple long-term demographic shifts and the establishment of immigrant communities.

The economic migrants often faced challenges in terms of integration and faced discrimination. As economic conditions in Europe fluctuated over time, resentment towards these immigrant populations grew, giving rise to political debates around immigration policies.

Cold War Geopolitics and Forced Migration

The West’s interference in the Global South was not limited to economic exploitation. During the Cold War, the United States and its allies engaged in extensive geopolitical meddling in Latin America, Africa and Asia, often supporting dictators who oppressed their populations. In countries like Nicaragua, Guatemala and El Salvador, U.S.-backed regimes engaged in brutal repression, leading to widespread violence, poverty and mass displacement. These interventions created refugee crises that continue to affect the region today. For example, U.S. support for the 2009 coup d’état in Honduras led to ongoing political instability, fuelling the proliferation of violent gangs that many refugees cite as a reason for fleeing the country.

Geopolitical Conflicts and Refugee Crises

One of the most significant factors in Europe's immigration crises has been geopolitical conflict, particularly in regions neighbouring Europe. The wars and conflicts in the Middle East, Africa and the Balkans have led to significant waves of refugees seeking asylum in Europe. One of the most notable periods of conflict-induced migration came with the Yugoslav Wars in the 1990s, which saw the disintegration of the former Yugoslavia and led to the displacement of millions of people.

More recently, the 2011 Syrian Civil War became a major factor in Europe’s immigration crises. Millions of Syrians fled the violence, seeking refuge in neighbouring countries such as Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan, with many migrating further to Europe. This was part of a larger wave of refugees from war-torn countries like Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya and sub-Saharan Africa, driven by both conflict and economic hardship.

The influx of refugees and migrants from these regions has tested Europe’s political and social systems, leading to divisions within the EU over how to handle the crisis. Countries such as Germany under Chancellor Angela Merkel’s leadership adopted an open-door policy, accepting large numbers of refugees. In contrast, other nations such as Hungary and Poland took a more hardline stance, leading to tensions within the EU.

The Formation of the European Union and Migration Policy

The creation of the European Union and the subsequent development of its immigration and asylum policies also play a significant role in the contemporary immigration crisis. The Schengen Agreement (1985) and the Treaty of Maastricht (1992) created a zone of free movement within Europe, allowing citizens of EU member states to move freely across borders. This development, while facilitating economic and social integration, also created concerns about the control of external borders and migration from non-EU countries.

The EU’s Common European Asylum System (CEAS) was established to harmonize asylum procedures across member states, but it has been criticized for its inefficiency and inequities. The Dublin Regulation – part of CEAS – which requires asylum seekers to register in the first EU country they enter, has placed disproportionate pressure on frontline states like Italy, Greece and Spain, where many migrants first arrive. These countries have struggled to manage the volume of asylum claims, leading to overcrowded detention centres and strained social services.

Economic Disparities and Globalization

Global economic disparities between Europe and other regions of the world have also driven immigration. The North-South divide has seen people from less developed countries seeking better opportunities in Europe. Globalization has facilitated these migration flows by increasing connectivity and communication, making it easier for people to move across borders.

In addition, economic downturns in Europe (such as during the 2008 financial crisis) have influenced the immigration debate. As European economies struggled to recover, public perception of immigrants, especially those from outside the EU, shifted. Immigrants were increasingly viewed as competitors for scarce jobs and public resources, exacerbating tensions and fuelling the rise of populist and anti-immigrant political movements across Europe.

Rise of Populism and Anti-Immigrant Sentiments

The rise of populist political movements in Europe has been one of the most visible consequences of the immigration crisis. Parties such as the National Rally (formerly Front National) in France, the Alternative for Germany (AfD), and Italy’s Lega Nord have capitalized on growing anti-immigrant sentiment, particularly in the wake of the 2015 refugee crisis. These parties have advocated for stricter immigration controls, often framing immigration as a threat to national security, cultural identity and economic stability.

Brexit, the UK’s decision to leave the EU, was partly driven by concerns over immigration. The campaign focused on the perceived loss of control over national borders due to the free movement of people within the EU, as well as fears of increased migration from non-EU countries.

Climate Change and Migration: The New Displacement

In addition to the legacy of colonialism and economic exploitation, climate change is now emerging as a significant driver of migration. The West, particularly the United States, has contributed disproportionately to global greenhouse gas emissions, and the effects of climate change are increasingly displacing populations in vulnerable regions of the world. Rising sea levels and extreme weather events are forcing millions of people to leave their homes in search of more stable environments.

The United Nations has warned that by 2050, there could be as many as 150 million climate refugees worldwide. Yet, Western countries – historically the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions – are increasingly closing their borders to those most affected by climate change, further deepening global inequalities.

Conclusion

Europe's immigration crises are deeply rooted in its colonial past, economic policies, geopolitical conflicts and the challenges of managing a union of diverse nations. The legacy of colonialism, post-war labour migration, and more recent refugee movements from conflict zones all intersect to create a complex web of causes for today's migration challenges. Economic disparities, globalization and the rise of populist politics have further compounded these issues, leading to a deeply polarized political landscape around immigration.

As Europe continues to grapple with these crises, solutions will require a nuanced understanding of their historical roots and the willingness of European leaders to address both the immediate humanitarian needs and the long-term structural issues at the heart of migration.

References

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Geddes, A., & Scholten, P. (2016). The Politics of Migration and Immigration in Europe. SAGE.

Collyer, M. (2016). Geopolitics of Migration: The Current Global Crisis. Polity Press.

Robinson, Kali & Roy, Diana. Europe’s Migration Dilemma.

Thindwa, James. The Root Cause of the Immigration Crisis: The West’s Legacy of Violent Conquest.

The Migrant’s Right Network. The Scars of Colonialism.

Messmer, Pierre. Labor Migration and the Colonial Legacy.