In April 2015, the European Commission (EC) presented the European Agenda on Migration. It will address immediate migratory issues and provide member states with the tools necessary to manage irregular migration. The Hotspot System is one initiative to organise and fairly migrate in the medium and longer term.
When it comes to Europe’s external borders, how does the Hotspot system work?
In 2015, Hotspot (sometimes referred to as the Hotspot System) had its beginnings. The European Commission established an action plan to assist Europe member nations in reducing the exceptional strain on Europe’s external borders from migrant arrivals outside the European Union (EU).
By providing member states with tools to deal with irregular migration, the Hotspot System hopes to manage migration ethically and equitably. Because certain EU nations, like Italy and Greece, have substantially higher levels of migrant prosperity than the others, each country’s external border is unique.
Hotspot System- how does it work?
The hotspot approach provides operational support and concentrates on return operations. Member nations need to complete the following actions with incoming migrants:
- Identify
- Register
- Fingerprint
Here you can find the agencies that are deployed to the hotspots, where they support authorities on essential occasions:
- Europol
- European Asylum Support Office (EASO)
- European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex)
- Eurojust
- EU-LISA
EASO supports teams that are processing asylum applications. At the same time, the Hotspot System channels people who are into specific asylum procedures immediately. Thus Hotspot contributes to the relocation schemes too, which the EC proposes.
FRONTEX is the European Border and Coast Guard Agency responsible for returning migrants who do not need protection.
FRONTEX supports the EU Member States in assisting with the deployment of screening groups through registration/identification procedures. When an irregular migrant is refused or is made not to stay in the EU, Frontex supports the national authorities in returning migrants. The EU-LISA agency is responsible for developing ETIAS and providing ICT expertise for asylum-seekers fingerprinting.
The hotspot approach usage by EU members
In Italy and Greece, the Hotspot Approach is in use. If necessary, nations from the European Union may join the system. Additionally, more help may be available after a Frontex-led evaluation. In addition, the EU Council has delegated responsibility for executing emergency displacement measures to the Hotspot. Therefore, more than 160,000 migrants were able to find new homes in EU nations thanks to these processes. So Europe’s solidarity with asylum seekers is to be bolstered via these procedures.
They’ve done what they said they were going to do. So the criteria under which asylum seekers are granted entry into Europe show that migration is a significant problem for Europe. The Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland were the first nations to face infringement procedures after other countries failed to do so. On the other hand, the EU’s assistance to Greece and Italy in dealing with humanitarian and border control issues relies heavily on hotspot management.
- Overcrowding
- Conditions in the camps
- Living conditions
The European Parliament reiterated its call for actions on behalf of member states for asylum seekers’ protection.
Hotspot regions in the EU
The hotspots were first identified when many refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants gathered outside the borders. Subsequently, these initial reception facilities are located in 2 EU member states, Greece and Italy.
Hotspots in Italy. There are 5 hotspots by the Talia government:
- Lampedusa
- Trapani
- Pozzallo
- Taranto
- Messina
Hotspots in Greece. The Greek authorities have also set up five hotspots:
- Lesbos
- Samos
- Chios
- Kos
- Leros
ETIAS in the face of extreme migratory pressures.
The European Union’s ETIAS program seeks to eradicate and minimise irregular migration in the Schengen region. Therefore individuals attempting to enter Europe illegally will be prevented from doing so if they register online when ETIAS will become obligatory for nationals of 60 countries who meet the eligibility requirements. Registration will be straightforward on the internet; all you will need is a passport, contact information, and travel information.
Accordingly, when they receive the application, they will digitally check the applicant against existing databases to ensure that the passenger does not pose a danger to citizens and travellers from the Europe Member States. Also, the applicant receives ETIAS approval or rejection notification within 24 hours after applying. The application will be refused if the applicant previously broke immigration laws.