Frontex becomes a deportation agency: shrill “invasion” talk

Did you know that so far this year a third fewer people than in the same period last year have come to the EU irregularly, i.e. without an entry permit? That there would be five times as many in 2023? No? The decline in irregular border crossings that has been going on for years - bought for example through collaboration with torturers like in Libya or increasingly blatant pushbacks - is not a major public issue. Instead, as usual, the pressure to act continues to be suggested in a high tone.

And so on Tuesday, EU Interior Commissioner Magnus Brunner explained how the EU border protection agency Frontex should develop further: double budget, 30,000 border guards instead of the previous 7,000 EU border guards, and with significantly more extensive powers than today. When faced with such prospects, many people feel reminded of the US deportation police ICE. Four times more border police, while the number of border crossings has fallen to a fifth. But the EU Commission considers this a good opportunity to press ahead with its long-held plans to set up a fully-fledged EU border police.

Because there is the fear of Russian pinpricks, which are intended to strengthen right-wing extremist, pro-Russian actors. The fight against irregular migration becomes a question of security, as migrants are often declared a “hybrid danger” and thus instrumentalized.

The taz is an independent, left-wing and opinionated daily newspaper. We have been arguing in our comments, essays and debate texts since the taz was founded in 1979. We often cannot and do not want to agree on an opinion. That's why you'll find some completely opposing positions here - all part of the very broad left-wing spectrum of opinions.

Then there is the realization that migration movements have made themselves vulnerable to attack and blackmail - see the actions of Morocco or Turkey. And finally, the growing tendency of the conservatives to make common cause with the right-wing extremists in parliament. The fact that migration pressure continues to fall is neither discussed in order to refute the shrill “invasion” talk of the extreme right, nor is it used as an opportunity to slow down the spiral of isolation - on the contrary.