In 2023, more than 1.1 million people applied for asylum in the European Union plus its Schengen-associated nations, Norway and Switzerland – the highest number since 2016.
But starting in 2026, the European Union will harden its borders and accelerate the deportation of those who don’t qualify for asylum.
Irregular migration has become a thorny issue in the European Union, with far-right leaders and groups pushing for more control of borders.
These parties are projected to make significant gains in the 2024 EU Parliament elections and could use their added political weight to push for more restrictive immigration policies.