From Welcoming Hearts to Closed Borders: The Migrant Crisis in Europe

Tue Sep 30 2025 05:00:11 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

This article explores the shift in Europe's approach to migration from the welcoming stance of 2015 to today's tightening of borders, highlighting the experiences of refugees and the political ramifications across the continent.

The article details the evolution of Europe's response to the migrant crisis since 2015, when Angela Merkel famously declared 'We can do it' as over a million migrants arrived in the EU. It contrasts the optimistic response of that time with current trends of increasing border control and rising anti-immigrant sentiments, focusing on the experiences of refugees and the impact of political decisions throughout Europe.

The day they appeared he could hardly believe his eyes. Small boat after small boat bearing in from the Turkish side. I have so many memories that are coming back to me now, says Paris Laoumis, 50, a hotelier on the Greek island of Lesbos. There were people from Syria, Afghanistan, many countries. This was August 2015 and Europe was witnessing the greatest movement in population since the end of the Second World War. More than a million people would arrive in the EU over the next few months driven by violence in Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, and elsewhere.

Today, the beach is quiet. There are no asylum seekers. But Paris is worried. He believes another crisis is possible. With the number of arrivals rising over the summer months, his country's migration minister has warned of the risk of an 'invasion', with thousands arriving from countries such as Sudan, Egypt, Bangladesh, and Yemen.

The numbers entering Germany jumped from 76,000 in July to 170,000 the following month. On the last day of August, Chancellor Angela Merkel declared 'wir schaffen das' - we can do it - interpreted by many as extending open arms to the asylum seekers. Yet, high emotions of that summer soon turned into political liabilities. Soon, border controls were imposed as the challenges of the influx became apparent.

Since then, issues around migration have transformed into significant political debates across Europe, with far-right parties gaining traction. The restrictions have intensified, significantly impacting the perception of refugees and asylum seekers.

In Hungary, Prime Minister Viktor Orban's government has taken an aggressive stance against migration. Human rights concerns arise, with reports of refugees being pushed back across borders. In Sweden, where migration was once embraced, public sentiment has shifted palpably due to heightened crime fears, leading to restrictive policies on immigration.

While the EU has effectively closed its doors, the fundamental challenges driving migration—global conflicts and socio-economic crises—remain unresolved. The grim reality is that desperate people will continue attempts to reach Europe, despite the evident risks.

As the summer of 2025 unfolds, the specter of yet another migrant crisis looms large over Europe, highlighting the ongoing struggle between humane responses and political expediency in addressing one of the most pressing issues of our time.