Illegal migration situation in the EU

Question for written answer  E-001071/2021
to the Commission
Rule 138
Bernhard Zimniok (ID)

According to the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), the number of migrants arriving in Spain’s Canary Islands has risen by 900%. The migrant routes through Tunisia and the Western Balkans saw increases of 155% and 105% respectively. Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt and Mauretania are given as examples of countries of origin[1]. It is clear that the migrants are illegal and must be classified as economic migrants. This gives rise to the following questions:

• 1.How will the Commission react to these changes, particularly with regard to the fact that the EU’s healthcare systems are a pull factor during the pandemic, in spite of all their problems, and will therefore attract further illegal migrants, even from South America?
• 2.How many members of the 10 000-strong Frontex force, who have been available from 1 January 2021 under the Pact on Migration and Asylum, are currently on the Canaries (Spain), on Cyprus and along the Western Balkan route to support the local authorities with the huge numbers of illegal migrants arriving there?
• 3.How will the Commission return the illegal migrants to their home countries if they arrive in the EU without passports or other papers attesting to their identity?

• [1] https://www.handelsblatt.com/politik/deutschland/illegale-einwanderung-pandemie-verstaerkt-migrationsdruck-auf-eu/26849748.html?ticket=ST-10925687-OA3uDib3QWY6JtVncEP1-ap2