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1 1 (March 20, 2019)

handle is hein.crs/govxyr0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Congressional Research Service #EEInforrning the legislative deabate sinee 1914 Europe's Refugee and Migration Flows MIxed M igration to Europe Over the past several years, Europe has experienced significant refugee and migrant flows as people have fled conflict and poverty in bordering regions. Although 2015 is considered the height of the crisis, refugee and migrant arrivals have continued (see Table 1). The war in Syria has created millions of refugees in neighboring countries and driven some to leave for Europe. Other refugees and migrants originate from elsewhere in the Middle East, as well as Afghanistan, Africa, South Asia, and some Western Balkan countries. Experts characterize these flows as mixed migration, defined as different groups of people-such as economic migrants, refugees, asylum-seekers, stateless persons, trafficked persons, and unaccompanied children- who travel the same routes and use the same modes of transportation (see text box). Many of these individuals do not have the required documentation, such as passports and visas, and often use smugglers and unauthorized border crossings. The flows have challenged European governments and the European Union (EU). The distinctions between groups in the mixed migration flows have raised questions about determination of status and rights. A key policy consideration is whether the movement is viewed as voluntary or forced. The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) asserts that many of the arrivals are from refugee-producing countries and require due process for asylum claims. Many also need humanitarian and protection assistance. At the same time, some of those seeking to enter Europe may be economic migrants. Mixed migration flows may include groups such as Economic migrants, who are largely trying to escape poverty and seek a better life. They do so legally or illegally, for the long term or temporarily. In theory, these migrants would receive the protection of their government should they return home. Refugees, who have fled their country of origin because of a well-founded fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, or membership in a particular social or political group. Refugees are unwilling or unable to avail themselves of the protection of their home government due to fears of persecution. Once granted refugee status, a person has certain legal rights and protections under international law. Asylum-seekers, who flee their home country and seek sanctuary in another state where they apply for asylum (i.e., the right to be recognized as a refugee). Asylum-seekers may receive legal protection and assistance while their formal status is determined. Stateless persons, who are not considered to be citizens of any state under national laws. Updated March 20, 2019 Routes, F ows, and Arrival Profiles Refugees and migrants travel various routes to reach Europe, and the routes often shift in use and popularity. As seen in Figure 1, several routes cross the western, central, and eastern Mediterranean Sea. Greece and Italy have been major arrival and transit points for years, and Spain has seen an uptick in arrivals since 2017. There are land routes via Turkey and the Balkans and along eastern borders with Belarus, Moldova, Ukraine, and Russia. Figure I. Main Mediterranean Sea Migration Routes Source: Graphic created by CRS, based on information from The Economist, New York Times, UNHCR, and Frontex. Reportedly, significant numbers of refugees and migrants arriving in Greece come from Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan, whereas a majority of those arriving in Italy and Spain are from African countries. Although the main surge in arrivals occurred in 2015, the estimated number of dead or missing was highest in 2016. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) estimates that many of those who have perished in the Mediterranean were from Africa. Table I. Estimated Refugee/Migrant Flows to Europe Year Sea Arrivals Land Arrivals Dead/Missing 2014 216,054 Not available 3,538 2015 1,015,078 34,887 3,771 2016 362,753 24,388 5,096 2017 161,338 10,550 3,049 2018 116,711 24,800 2,277 Source: UNHCR, IOM.

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