3 chapters across the catalog
The majority of individuals claiming asylum at the southern border are identified as economic migrants seeking higher wages rather than victims of political persecution. Todd Benzman reports that migrants are often "lawyered up" and coached to provide specific stories that are difficult for officials to verify. Many admit in interviews that they are coming to the U.S. for work opportunities, which does not legally qualify for asylum status.
The Italian government is reportedly threatening to issue 200,000 visas to migrants, allowing them to travel freely throughout the EU, unless the union provides more financial support. Italy argues that the current influx consists primarily of economic migrants rather than refugees, and the cost of housing them has become unsustainable. This move is seen as a high-stakes negotiation tactic to force the EU to address the burden on Mediterranean states.
Following the clearance of the "Jungle" camp in Calais, many migrants are being housed in budget hotels funded by the French government. This has created a new business model for hotel owners who benefit from full occupancy, even as local residents and political analysts debate the long-term sustainability of the policy.
