Europe has grappled with managing asylum seekers since the 2015 migration crisis, which saw over a million arrivals. This influx placed significant strain on European nations as they sought to provide refuge and maintain stability.
In recent years, although the number of arrivals has decreased, a series of high-profile crimes linked to migrants in Germany since January 2025 has injected new urgency into Europe's asylum debate. These incidents have reignited concerns over the effectiveness of current asylum policies and the criteria used to determine which countries are deemed \"safe\" for deportation purposes.
At the heart of the discussion lies a complex and contentious question: What qualifies as a \"safe country\" for rejected asylum seekers to be deported to? Defining these criteria is crucial for ensuring the protection of individuals while maintaining security within European borders.
While the debate is not a recent development, changing political priorities and recent legal challenges have brought it under unprecedented scrutiny. Policymakers and stakeholders are now under pressure to reassess and potentially reformulate the standards that guide asylum decisions, aiming to balance humanitarian obligations with national security concerns.
