Migration and Security

Session

Security Studies

Description

There are many reasons why people migrate. Better economic opportunities, better living conditions, healthcare or education opportunities, reuniting with family, escaping conflict, escaping persecution, climate change, even love. It is likely to be a combination of some of these circumstances. Each migrant has a personal story to tell. The expectations of a better life do materialize, but not always. They may confront discrimination based upon skin colour, religion, how they dress or how they speak. They may suffer homelessness, unemployment and extreme poverty. Often they will move to areas where others of their nationality, race or religion live forming sub-communities. These sub-communities can be a source of support or a source of suppression and isolation. Migration is a key election issue in many countries in the developed world. Polarization between the left and right, often propagated by politicians and the media is widening. An example is Ukrainian refugees who fled following the full-scale invasion by Russia in 2022. According to figures Germany took in 1,217,680 Ukrainians, Poland 994,180, Czechia 374,310 and the United Kingdom 254,580. Despite widespread reports of how Ukrainians have assimilated well into their new societies, working, paying taxes and contributing to the overall economy, in some countries this initial honeymoon period has drawn to an end. Some media reports state that in several places Ukrainians are reporting the overall mood towards them has changed. In electioneering, particularly by growing far-right entities, migration and Ukrainians are a debate issue. When crimes are committed it is often in the first one or two sentences the nationality or ethnicity of the offender are broadcast. On 29 July 2024, a mass stabbing targeting young girls occurred at a dance studio in Southport, UK. A 17 year old black male born in Cardiff and of Rwandan Christian parents who migrated to the UK in 2002 was arrested. The day after the attack, rioters clashed with police and damaged a mosque after misinformation about the attacker's identity was spread online. Over the next days, mass anti-immigration protests and riots spread nationwide. In order to counter such misinformation and protests, UK police now often release a suspect’s or offender’s details quickly, if such a release is deemed appropriate. Legal and illegal migration is now a 24/7 event. Networks, legal and illegal, are facilitating the movement of people. From a security perspective the challenges are many.

Keywords:

Migration, Security, Discrimination, Media, Politics

Proceedings Editor

Edmond Hajrizi

ISBN

978-9951-982-41-2

Location

UBT Lipjan, Kosovo

Start Date

25-10-2025 9:00 AM

End Date

26-10-2025 6:00 PM

DOI

10.33107/ubt-ic.2025.301

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Oct 25th, 9:00 AM Oct 26th, 6:00 PM

Migration and Security

UBT Lipjan, Kosovo

There are many reasons why people migrate. Better economic opportunities, better living conditions, healthcare or education opportunities, reuniting with family, escaping conflict, escaping persecution, climate change, even love. It is likely to be a combination of some of these circumstances. Each migrant has a personal story to tell. The expectations of a better life do materialize, but not always. They may confront discrimination based upon skin colour, religion, how they dress or how they speak. They may suffer homelessness, unemployment and extreme poverty. Often they will move to areas where others of their nationality, race or religion live forming sub-communities. These sub-communities can be a source of support or a source of suppression and isolation. Migration is a key election issue in many countries in the developed world. Polarization between the left and right, often propagated by politicians and the media is widening. An example is Ukrainian refugees who fled following the full-scale invasion by Russia in 2022. According to figures Germany took in 1,217,680 Ukrainians, Poland 994,180, Czechia 374,310 and the United Kingdom 254,580. Despite widespread reports of how Ukrainians have assimilated well into their new societies, working, paying taxes and contributing to the overall economy, in some countries this initial honeymoon period has drawn to an end. Some media reports state that in several places Ukrainians are reporting the overall mood towards them has changed. In electioneering, particularly by growing far-right entities, migration and Ukrainians are a debate issue. When crimes are committed it is often in the first one or two sentences the nationality or ethnicity of the offender are broadcast. On 29 July 2024, a mass stabbing targeting young girls occurred at a dance studio in Southport, UK. A 17 year old black male born in Cardiff and of Rwandan Christian parents who migrated to the UK in 2002 was arrested. The day after the attack, rioters clashed with police and damaged a mosque after misinformation about the attacker's identity was spread online. Over the next days, mass anti-immigration protests and riots spread nationwide. In order to counter such misinformation and protests, UK police now often release a suspect’s or offender’s details quickly, if such a release is deemed appropriate. Legal and illegal migration is now a 24/7 event. Networks, legal and illegal, are facilitating the movement of people. From a security perspective the challenges are many.