Frontex sees big rise in EU migrant entries, no Ukraine link

Category: Top Stories

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. authorization / ˌɔ θər əˈzeɪ ʃən / (n.) – the permission or approval to do something given by those in power
    Example:

    The records cannot be released without authorization from the division head.


  2. refugee / ˌrɛf yʊˈdʒi / (n.) – a person who has been forced to leave his country and go to another country for safety
    Example:

    The government provided food, clothing, and shelter to the refugees from the war-torn country.


  3. bicker / ˈbɪk ər / (v.) – to argue about unimportant things
    Example:

    The family bickered over where to spend their holidays.


  4. linger / ˈlɪŋ gər / (v.) – to persist or continue to exist as time passes
    Example:

    Spain left the Philippines hundreds of years ago, but the Spanish influence still lingers.


  5. oblige / əˈblaɪdʒ / (v.) – to force or require someone to do something because of a law or because it is needed
    Example:

    Every citizen is obliged to pay taxes.


Article

Read the text below.

The number of migrants trying to enter the European Union without authorization in the first three months of this year has risen to its highest level since 2016, even excluding refugees arriving from Ukraine, the EU’s border and coast guard agency said Tuesday.


Frontex estimated that more than 40,300 “illegal crossings” were made into the 27-nation EU between January and March, up by 57% over the same period last year.


Well over 1 million people, most from Syria but also many Iraqis, entered the EU in 2015, overwhelming reception facilities. Their arrival sparked a major political crisis in Europe as nations bickered over who should take care of them, and tensions still linger.


This year, almost 5 million people fled the war in Ukraine. Poland has welcomed more than half of them while Hungary has taken in close to half a million, according to U.N. refugee agency figures. Both countries refused to be obliged to take in refugees from Syria and Iraq after 2015.


Frontex said the number of attempts to enter Europe without authorization via the Western Balkans more than doubled in the first quarter of 2022, with over 18,300 detected crossings. Most were Syrians and Afghans.


More than 5,100 attempts were made through the EU island country of Cyprus, a three-fold annual rise.


Frontex also said that the number of migrants trying to reach Britain across the English Channel nearly tripled in early 2022 to almost 8,900 compared with the first quarter of last year. Around half were prevented from making the crossing.


This article was provided by The Associated Press.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • In your opinion, how should countries handle the problem of the increase of migrants (ex. create policies to better accommodate migrants, limit the number of migrants allowed)? Discuss.
  • What are the pros and cons for countries losing people due to migration (ex. pro: more available resources like food, housing, etc., con: decreased workforce)? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • In your opinion, should your country take in refugees fleeing the war in their home country? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • If your country would take in refugees, what kind of support do you think the government should be able to give (ex. language and culture training)? Discuss.