According to Frontex data, the number of illegal migrations to the European Union decreased by 38% last year. However, migration pressure on Europe remains significant. Europol estimates that 90% of migrants rely on smugglers, making human trafficking one of the most lucrative areas of organized crime. The funds generated through these activities are often funneled to terrorist organizations. As a result, Members of the European Parliament emphasize the need for increased funding for Frontex and improved cooperation among security agencies.
“Migration routes to the EU no longer target only southern Europe; the Belarusian route from the north has become highly dangerous. The EU is being stormed from all directions,” said Jadwiga Wiśniewska, a Member of the European Parliament from the Law and Justice Party, in an interview with Newseria.
Migration Trends in 2024
In 2024, Frontex recorded 239,000 cases of illegal border crossings into the EU, marking a significant 38% year-on-year decline and the lowest figure since 2021, when COVID-19 influenced migration trends. The agency attributes this reduction to increased EU cooperation with partners to combat smuggling networks.
The most significant decreases were observed on the Western Balkans route (down 78% year-on-year to 21,500 crossings) and the Central Mediterranean route (down 59% year-on-year). Despite the decrease, the Central Mediterranean route remained the second-largest smuggling corridor, with 67,000 detections, while the Eastern Mediterranean route took the top spot with 69,400 cases, a 14% increase from the previous year.
However, there was a dramatic rise in migrants using the Eastern route, particularly along the Belarusian border. Illegal crossings on the EU’s eastern border surged by 192% to 17,000 cases in 2024. Similarly, the Western African route, which passes through the Canary Islands, saw an 18% increase, reaching nearly 47,000 cases—the highest figure since Frontex began collecting data in 2009.
Smuggling Networks and Organized Crime
Europol reports that 90% of migrants attempting to enter the EU illegally use smuggling services, making human trafficking one of the most profitable organized crime sectors. According to UN data, smuggling networks generated annual revenues of $5.5–$7 billion as early as 2016.
“The profits for criminals involved in human smuggling are growing, and this criminal business is unfortunately expanding,” Wiśniewska said. “The EU has not ensured the security of its external borders, nor has it provided sufficient funding for border infrastructure or Frontex. On paper, everything seems to be moving in the right direction, but the reality is alarming.”
Although Frontex’s budget has increased in recent years, it remains insufficient to fully secure the EU’s borders. In 2024, the EU allocated over €920 million to the agency, but experts argue that more funding is needed. In March 2024, the European Council approved a plan to strengthen border protection, including intensified maritime patrols and the deployment of advanced monitoring technologies such as drones and motion detection systems.
Links to Terrorism and Organized Crime
“All reports indicate that illegal migration is accompanied by increased crime and the presence of terrorist groups operating within the EU,” Wiśniewska emphasized.
Europol data confirm that illegal migration is exploited by organized crime groups and can be linked to terrorism financing. For instance, a 33-year-old Syrian man arrested last year by Polish Border Guards and German police was found to be leading a transnational criminal group that organized illegal migration from Belarus through Poland to Western Europe. This group smuggled approximately 3,500 people and funneled at least $30 million, largely in cryptocurrency, to terrorist organizations such as Hezbollah’s armed wing and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. EU member states have repeatedly called for improved intelligence-sharing to identify such threats.
“We have significant capabilities but need close collaboration—not only among EU institutions and agencies but also with international partners. Frontex must work closely with Europol and Interpol, and member states must share information more effectively to present a united front in securing the EU’s external borders,” Wiśniewska stressed.
Strengthening Policies and Procedures
In response to growing threats, the EU adopted new regulations in 2024 to improve coordination between security agencies. Europol’s role was expanded, granting access to more migration-related data. A real-time migration monitoring system was also introduced to enable member states to respond more quickly to illegal population movements.
“We must also implement decisive return policies. Anyone who entered the EU illegally should be immediately deported to their country of origin,” Wiśniewska added.
Return mechanisms remain a critical element of EU migration policy. According to Eurostat, nearly 111,200 migrants were deported from the EU in 2023, a 25% year-on-year increase. However, Frontex notes a persistent gap between the number of deportation orders issued by courts (484,200 in 2023) and the actual number of deportations, partly because migrants often move to another Schengen country. The European Commission has pledged to strengthen repatriation procedures and negotiate with migrants’ countries of origin to streamline the deportation process.
Illegal Migration: A Growing Challenge
Eurostat data show that 1.265 million non-EU nationals were residing illegally in the EU in 2023, a 13% increase from the previous year. Germany, Italy, and Hungary reported the highest numbers of illegal migrants, with Syrians accounting for the largest group (252,900, up 28.4% from 2022).
During a January plenary session, Members of the European Parliament discussed organized crime’s role in smuggling migrants into the EU. The debates focused on potential changes to EU law to improve police cooperation and combat smuggling networks effectively. The proposed directive includes provisions for harsher penalties for smugglers. Combating human trafficking remains a top EU priority and is essential to addressing illegal migration challenges.
