Having regard to the fact that a large number of illegal migrants arrive to Europe every year, the European Union is facing illegal migration as an increasingly serious challenge of security policy. Legal and illegal migration are age-old phenomena. The danger it entails is uncontrollability, along with actions that are related to and are exploiting uncontrollability (e.g. human smuggling, trafficking in human beings, organised crime, the preparation of false travel and personal documents, the growth of black economy, corruption, etc.) Illegal immigration causes tensions in the field of economy, healthcare and society.

Illegal migrants may be categorised into three large groups. The first category includes those persons who crossed the external border of the European Union with false documents or crossed the green border illegally, assisted by human smugglers. The second category is that of those persons who arrived legally in the first place but since the expiry of their residence permit they have been residing illegally in the territory of the European Union. The third category is that of those persons who enter legally, as tourists, but they intend to seek employment in the EU. The analysis of the data of the Member States sheds light on the fact that over 90% of illegal border crossings happen at land borders. The majority of illegal border crossings happen at the green border; in some cases, persons cross the borders hiding in vehicles.

Illegal migration affects the Member States of the European Union as a target territory to a varying degree; consequently, the target countries have different tasks in counteracting illegal migration. Central European countries, including Hungary, form a transitory zone between the east and the west; that is, with regard to migration towards the west, Hungary is a transit corridor. However, it is to be noted that Hungary, besides being a transit country, has become or will probably become a target country for certain groups of immigrants. Consequently, Hungary – in conformity with the demands of economy and science – has to make efforts to promote the entry and residence of legal migrants, and, at the same time, has to combat illegal migration and illegal activities related to it.

Combatting illegal migration includes the organisation and execution of the return of such migrants to the countries of origin (either voluntarily or escorted by authorities) and firm measures taken against smugglers, human traffickers and persons committing other illegal acts who exploit illegal migrants. Cooperation with countries of origins and transit countries is of key importance. For Hungary, prioritised countries include third countries east or southeast of the EU. Dialogue and practical cooperation must continue with these countries. Cooperation here means that involved countries, countries where migrants arrive from and transit countries conclude readmission agreements and share their experience and expertise in order to enhance the efficiency of combating illegal migration. An “immigration liaison officer” is representative of a Member State residing abroad whose duty is to establish and maintain relations with authorities of the receiving countries in order to promote the prevention of illegal migration and the combat against it, and to assist the resettlement of illegal migrants and the management of legal migration.

With regard to geographical location and infrastructure, three inbound routes of migration are oriented towards Hungary.

  • Eastern route: illegal migrants set out in Central Asia, and arrive at the eastern external border of the EU through Russia and Ukraine. Then they continue their journey to a western Member State through Hungary or Slovakia. Previously, the majority of illegal migrants arriving from the east were Ukrainians, Russians, Serbians, Kosovars and Moldovans; in recent years, however, the number of detained persons of Palestinian and Afghan citizenship has increased considerably.
  • The Mediterranean route: migrants set off in North Africa, and arrive to Hungary through Turkey, Bulgaria and Romania. The majority heads for Southern Austria or Northern Italy through Slovenia, while others attempt to reach Germany, the Netherlands or the United Kingdom through Austria. The majority of them are Tunisian, Egyptian or Libyan citizens.

‘Conventional’ Balkan route: migrants set out in Turkey, and reach Hungary through Greece, Albania and Serbia, putting great pressure on the land border between Serbia and Hungary. The number of Iraqi, Somali, Afghan, Pakistani, Kosovar and Serbian citizens detained while attempting to cross the border illegally is increasing.

The composition of migrant groups is undergoing a continuous change due to global social and economic changes. 90% of illegal migrants arriving to Hungary travel through Greece, Macedonia and Serbia, posing a great challenge to the border control authorities of Hungary’s South Great Plain region. 10% of illegal migrants arrive from Ukraine and Romania. In 2010, 50% of the migrants who came to Hungary with the assistance of human smugglers travelled by train, while the other 50% travelled by road. In 2011, 80% of them travelled by road. Most of the detained illegal migrants attempted to travel across Hungary towards Gyor and Hegyeshalom (M1 highway, international railways).