Europol, the European Union’s law enforcement agency, has warned that migrant smuggling is expected to increase considerably as deconfinement continues across Europe.
In its annual report, the European Union’s police agency notes that the bloc is likely to face a new wave of migration from the Third World as lockdown measures are lifted and border restrictions are eased.
“Relaxation of travel and movement restrictions will likely lead to an increase in the movements of irregular migrants, both facilitated and non-facilitated,” the Hague-based agency warned.
“While the economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis in Europe is not yet clear but expected to be significant, the impact on economies in the developing world is likely to be even more profound. Prolonged economic instability and the sustained lack of opportunities in some African economies may trigger another wave of irregular migration towards the EU in the mid-term.”
Europol also mentions having noticed changes in the way migrant smugglers are operating as a result of tighter border controls within the European Union.