European leaders address the 'legitimate' issue of illegal immigration, calling for it to be 'stopped'.

European officials at the United Nations' High-level Week emphasized the need for stricter policies on illegal or "irregular" immigration, citing success in their efforts as they continue to negotiate deals to secure the continent.

"Reducing illegal immigration is key to agreements with North African countries on legal immigration, as Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani stated."

"To combat crime, we must address the issue of human traffickers who also engage in drug and weapon trafficking. This requires a multi-faceted approach that includes reducing illegal immigration."

The refugee crisis that occurred between 2015 and 2016 in Europe was a result of significant migration from North Africa and the Middle East, which overwhelmed countries like Germany with the influx of immigrants.

The European Union Agency for Asylum reported that October 2023 experienced the highest spike in asylum seekers in seven years, similar to the levels seen during the previous refugee crisis.

Localized immigration policies have been enacted by countries to combat the issue, while the European Union has worked out deals with countries such as Tunisia, Libya, Syria, and Afghanistan. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has added to this pressure, resulting in the displacement of approximately 4.4 million people who sought refuge in neighboring countries.

In May 2024, approximately 930,000 asylum seekers were waiting for a first instance decision in Germany and Italy. In response to the influx, Italy's right-wing government implemented immigration reforms, including an 18-month detention period and new centers to house asylum seekers.

Lampedusa, Italy's southernmost island, receives thousands of migrants monthly from Tunisia, overwhelming new processing centers and prompting one worker to describe the situation as "complex" last year.

Hungary, which is embroiled in a legal battle over its own immigration policies, faces a fine of up to 200 million euros from the European Court of Justice for breaking the bloc's asylum rules, and an additional 1 million euros per day.

This month, Hungary began considering legal action to compel the EU executive commission to reimburse expenses incurred in enforcing the Schengen (free-movement) zone of the European Union.

Since the Fidesz party came to power 14 years ago, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto has faced criticism for his country's approach, with Brussels ultimately seeking migration rather than the various countries in the bloc.

"We disagree with Brussels and do not intend to meet their expectations, as Szijjarto stated. Our goal is solely to fulfill the needs of the Hungarian people, rather than catering to the liberal mainstream."

Szijjarto stated that he believes Brussels and certain member states of the European Union, as well as some European politicians, have a clear responsibility regarding the migratory crisis, as Brussels has pursued a pro-migration policy, and it is unresolvable if you examine their views on this issue.

"Szijjarto argued that migration must be stopped, not managed, and that supporting or encouraging migration means encouraging people to leave their homes, which is unacceptable."

"Instead of encouraging people to migrate, we must ensure that everyone has the right to a safe and secure life in their birthplace."

Germany is trying to control migration within the European Union by imposing its own strict borders, but some experts predict that this could trigger a domino effect across the continent, as reported by DW.

The Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky acknowledged that the issue of balancing free movement within the union with the need for stronger external borders is a "difficult question" that puts "a lot of pressure on us."

According to Lipavsky, it is evident that Europe has lost its capacity to exert geopolitical influence, particularly in Africa and the Middle East, due to our inability to implement any measures to halt irregular migration.

"If someone who has no right to asylum is in Europe, there are no effective mechanisms for our populations. Therefore, they will need to put more effort into it, definitely."

Germany's decision to adopt stricter migration policies was commended by Lipavsky, who noted that it was significant for Europe that the country shifted towards the more stringent policies of countries like the Czech Republic.

The immigrant crisis has been a significant issue in elections, and leaders have actively sought solutions to address it.

Gabrielius Landsbergis, Lithuanian Foreign Minister, stated that although he believes the increase in right-wing support is a result of a system shock rather than a reflection of a growing movement, the data suggests that there is a significant amount of concern among the population regarding certain "legitimate" concerns, such as migration.

"Landsbergis stated that the issue is safeguarding the external European borders, particularly when faced with the instrumentalized migration initiated by Lukashenko, who brought thousands of migrants from the Middle East and Northern Africa to our borders, putting pressure on the European Union politically. Despite this, we remain committed to following the rules."

In 2021, Lithuania, along with Poland and Latvia, fought against the weaponized influx of migrants from Belarus by constructing a 370-mile-long steel wall with barbed-wire that is "electronically controlled."

Landsbergis stated that the border is likely one of the best controlled within the EU's external borders, with the addition of border guards and increased resources following the country's shift in focus.

"We have a responsibility to address this issue, and the simplest solution is to allow people to enter – they generally want to travel to the Netherlands, Sweden, or Germany. However, we did not do that."

"We are maintaining the border, following regulations, and I believe the strain on Lithuania from the border is minimal now."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.