War, Migration, and Child Trafficking – How Many Children Disappear on the Balkan Route and How Can We Protect Them?

Source: RTS
Photo: RTS 

The wars in Gaza and Ukraine continue to have devastating consequences for children, who make up nearly a third of all victims, according to global human trafficking statistics. Over 50,000 children have been killed or injured in Gaza alone. Radoš Đurović from the Asylum Protection Center says that children are also disappearing along the Balkan migration route, where last year there were as many as 22,000 unaccompanied minors. Marija Anđelković from the "Astra" association points out that children separated from their parents during migration are at even greater risk. In many cases, parents have already reached certain European countries, while their children remain on the route. Around two million children fled Ukraine for Europe at the beginning of the war. Currently, there are about six million refugees in Europe, 88% of whom are women and children. Radoš Đurović highlights that around 21,000 children are missing in Gaza. Reports indicate that more than 50,000 children have been killed or injured. Nearly every child has been displaced -homes destroyed, families torn apart, and their childhoods forever scarred by deep trauma. Marija Anđelković stresses that human trafficking is a grim reality, especially in times of war, which, as she explains, is one of the largest "push" factors that force individuals into trafficking networks, alongside poverty, economic hardship, and natural disasters. "The reality is that children make up more than 50% of all identified human trafficking victims," warns Anđelković.

When a Child Goes Missing in a Refugee Camp

In war and exile, whether in Gaza or along the migration route, children are the most vulnerable, and their presence demands special care. However, Đurović points out that it's common for children to go missing even along the Balkan route. The first point of contact in such cases is usually the camp administration. "The organization running the camp and the police, if law enforcement is available, get involved. Then, an international organization, if present at the camp, starts the search process for the child. But very often, when such incidents occur, no results are achieved," explains Đurović. He reminds us that the reasons children go missing in camps, aside from war and violence, include traffickers, lack of information, poor conditions in the camps, separation from primary family members, and children's desire to reunite with them. Sometimes, it is also due to the absence of adequate protection and guardianship. These are some of the main factors contributing to the disappearance of children. Anđelković particularly emphasizes that war zones are often used to hide various illegal activities, including human trafficking, primarily because it's difficult to gather evidence during active conflict. "Thus, what often happens is that women and girls are trafficked as sex slaves in war zones. We also have cases where children are forced to participate in combat, coerced into committing crimes, or exploited for labor," she explains. She adds that children separated from their families are most often targeted by criminal groups.

Can International Organizations Track Every Child?

Đurović explains that international organizations do not have the capacity to track every child, and this is reflected in the daily reality. In this regard, the most significant effort is the International Red Cross, which operates a network to search for missing persons, not just children, and tries to establish corridors along major migration routes. "However, when a child goes missing and is undocumented, many children have no papers and are often in an illegal status, even in the camps. Legally, they are invisible. When such a child goes missing, especially if they are a foreigner, local governments and institutions often lack the resources or time to address the issue. We see this both along the Balkan route and in our surrounding areas," Đurović explains. That said, he acknowledges that there are positive moments when children are found, but the statistics are worrying. In 2015, during the peak of the migration wave, Europol registered over 10,000 missing children who entered our country alone.

Some Children Never Make Contact Again

Anđelković points out that the "Astra" organization runs a hotline for missing children and highlights that during migration surges, reports of missing children increase by 70 She stresses that these children are at an increased risk, as parents try to reconnect with their children. "In many cases, this is successful. Unfortunately, sometimes it's not. In many cases, parents have already reached a European country, such as Germany or Austria, while their children are still on the route. We manage to reunite them through the International Red Cross and other organizations, as well as government institutions, but the issue is still not addressed systemically," she says. Đurović adds that some children never re-establish contact, some end up in criminal exploitation networks, and some tragically lose their lives during the journey, which is deeply unsettling. "This is an institutional struggle. Networking along migration routes, such as the Balkan route, is essential. Last year, over 22,000 unaccompanied minors were identified along this route. This highlights the need for better coordination between institutions, police, and social services to track and report this issue," concludes Đurović.

Reports on Police Violence and Pushbacks in South of Serbia

In the second half of August, we have met many migrants including unaccompanied migrants reporting apprehension followed by beatings by Serbian police in Southern Serbia. Some were transferred to camps after being mistreated, while others were pushed back by Serbian police to North Macedonia, but attempting re-entry afterwards. Migrants accommodated in both Presevo and Bujanovac transit reception camps reported that this pattern had become increasingly common over past 10 days.

Unaccompanied minors S.D. and S. Z. from Afghanistan entered Serbia from North Macedonia. They reported being pushed back twice by Serbian police before finally succeeding. On their first attempt, they crossed in a group of seven unaccompanied minors. They described how police apprehended them, forced them to lie face down with their heads to the ground, and beat them with batons, including on the soles of their feet after removing their shoes. Police took pictures of them and warned that their photos would be shared with all police units so they could be identified in future attempts. S.D.'s phone was broken after police discovered it had been using GPS location to follow the road. After staying 2 days in North Macedonia, they attempted the crossing again but were caught once more. They said police was brutal, beating them repeatedly with batons while they laid on the ground and they cried out for help. S.D. recounted that police had even held appointed guns to their heads, threatening to kill them if they would return/try again. Both boys showed bruises, with S.Z.'s visible injuries on his face.

Following the second pushback, both returned to North Macedonia for a day and then tried again to enter Serbia. This time, only three continued while the others, frightened by the violence, stayed behind, fearing that police might break their limbs if they were caught again crossing into Serbia. On their third attempt, they successfully entered Serbia and reached Bujanovac reception camp, where they were admitted without delays or problems. They requested medical assistance but reported that no care was provided in the camp.

Minors have been accommodated since 21.08.2025 and said they are relieved to be indoors after spending many nights in forests without food/fire. Despite exhaustion and hardship, both smiled often during the conversation and said they wanted to share their struggles. They also mentioned previous push backs and beatings done by Turkish and Greek police that didn't stop them.

Unlike most minors, they were very talkative and eager to tell their story. Both expressed determinations to continue their journey, one towards Italy, and another to Switzerland. Their families remain in Jalalabad. S.Z. is still in touch with his family, while S.D. contacted his aunt, as he had lost his father years ago and felt responsible as the eldest son to take care for his family. He added that his mother is uneducated, explaining simply, "she doesn't even know how to answer the phone." Before entering Serbia, they stayed 6 days in North Macedonia, 3 months in Greece, and one year and 3 months in Turkey.

Y. M., H., K.S., S.R., S. A. and K. A. from Afghanistan entered Serbia in a group of 5 men, crossing from North Macedonia to Serbia. After entry, they were apprehended by Serbian police, who beat them with batons but did not push them back over the fence to N.Macedonia.

All five of them reached Bujanovac camp by taxi, where they were admitted without an issue. They were accommodated for 3 days in the Bujanovac camp and raised no major complaints, though they mentioned that medical assistance was not provided to them within the camp. Before entering Serbia, they had stayed one day in North Macedonia, 2 days in Greece, and one month in Turkey. They stated their intentions to move forward towards Italy or France. During the conversation, they were talkative, leaning forward, speaking loudly, and often talking over one another.

The Situation at Serbia's Northern Borders with the EU Since the Beginning of 2025

Source: APC
Photo: APC

Subotica, March 28, 2025 – Overview of the situation at Serbia’s northern borders with the EU since the beginning of 2025.

-Accommodation and Reception Only in Southern Camps – Preševo, Bujanovac, and Sjenica are the only locations where accommodation and reception are provided; there is no reception in the north. Refugees mostly reach these southern camps through relocations following pushbacks or arrests during their movement toward the northern border. Smugglers use private homes in Belgrade for temporary accommodation, which results in many refugees remaining "invisible" and unregistered in official statistics. In the north, refugees are still not visible during the day or in public spaces, as they move only at night, arriving at locations from which they attempt to cross the border with the help of smugglers and criminal groups.

-Increased Entries from North Macedonia Compared to Late 2024, while daily entries from Bulgaria and from Albania via Kosovo continue. Regarding smuggling after entering Serbia, some refugees report traveling first to Belgrade or Obrenovac, where they spend a night or two before being transported to the Hungarian border. Others report being taken directly from the Bulgarian or Macedonian border to the Hungarian border by smugglers, typically in cars. Smuggling fees from Turkey to Serbia range between €3,500 and €4,000, while the full package from Turkey to Germany can cost up to €8,000.

-Smuggling Route Toward Hungary Remains Intense – Most refugees attempt to cross from Serbia into Hungary. Besides crossing in truck trailers, vans, and cars, they also pass through cut sections of the border fence, where smugglers create temporary passageways. A cut-through crossing alone costs €1,500, outside of any package deal. Smugglers operate along the entire green border, from Subotica to Martonoš, frequently changing the transit points where they gather small groups of refugees (6–10 people) for border crossings.

-Significant Increase in Reports of Multiple and Violent Pushbacks (PB) from Hungary in February. Some individuals reported experiencing up to four PBs within a month. Hungary continues daily pushbacks into Serbia. While in 2024 refugees less frequently reported violence by Hungarian police, since the beginning of 2025, dozens—including women—have reported physical violence before being forced back into Serbia. These operations involve joint patrols by Serbian and Frontex police. Reported violence includes baton blows to the stomach, back, and arms, with occasional destruction or confiscation of phones and chargers. Most violence is reported by refugees from Syria and Afghanistan, but also from Morocco, Pakistan, Egypt, Palestine, Iraq, and Turkey.

In the second half of February, Hungary, in cooperation with Serbian police and Frontex, pushed back and prevented the entry of at least 59 refugees per day (over 821 people in total). However, in the first two weeks of March, the number decreased to 467 people.

-Obrenovac – Still a transit point from where smugglers direct refugees toward Hungary or Bosnia and Herzegovina, although in smaller numbers than last year. Refugees often report being denied access to the camp—managed by KIRS—which remains unchanged compared to last year. Refugees typically arrive in Obrenovac after entering from Bulgaria, waiting outdoors near the center for smugglers and vehicles that will take them to the Hungarian border. The transport from Belgrade to Subotica costs between €100 and €150 per person.

-Increased Presence of FRONTEX in the North, along with international cross-border police cooperation to prevent irregular migration. Joint Italian and German police patrols with Serbian police monitor border zones and roads leading to EU border crossings. As of 2025, Polish police forces are also present in northern Serbia under Frontex. Frontex vehicles from Poland and Germany are visibly active, especially between 5 PM and 6 AM. Frequent patrol movements by border police are noted in Subotica and surrounding areas.

-From March 4, 2025 onwards, Hungary deployed 25 police officers to Serbia and 20 to Bulgaria, as announced by Hungary’s State Secretary for the Interior, Rétvári. As part of quadrilateral cooperation on preventing illegal border crossings (now involving Austria, Hungary, Serbia, and Bulgaria), Hungarian officers are patrolling not only border areas but also roads throughout Serbia and Bulgaria using field vehicles, handheld night-vision devices, handheld thermal cameras, and mobile thermal cameras.

-Police Procedures Following Pushbacks – Prolonged Detention in the North. At the Horgoš border crossing, daily police procedures are conducted to prevent crossings, identify individuals, and detain and relocate refugees after pushbacks by Hungarian police. Serbian police continue the trend of detaining individuals (40–50 people) for up to 12 hours in a facility near the Horgoš–Röszke border crossing. Refugees report that men, women, and children are still housed in the same room with a shared toilet. After detention, they are routinely issued orders terminating their stay and are relocated by police vans or buses to reception camps in Bujanovac and Preševo in southern Serbia. If caught just before attempting to cross into Hungary, refugees are taken by Serbian border police and Frontex to the nearest police station (PU Kikinda or PU Subotica), where they are held until appearing before a misdemeanour judge for illegal entry and stay in Serbia. Fines typically range from RSD 7,000–10,000 or 7–10 days in prison if they cannot pay. After serving time or paying the fine, they are relocated to southern camps.

-Increased Movement Toward Croatia, Mostly Hidden in Truck Trailers – Refugees encountered by APC teams in Preševo, Bujanovac, and Obrenovac increasingly report using the Croatia route as an option toward Western Europe. APC estimates that at least 20 people attempt to cross into Croatia daily, often with the help of smugglers waiting at parking lots near the Batrovci border crossing. In cooperation with truck drivers, smugglers arrange for refugees to travel hidden in freight trailers. Refugees who spent hours in the Šid Police Station report that if police catch people near or at the Croatian border, they are taken to PU Šid and then relocated to the Preševo camp. In late February, a group of Syrian refugees reported a violent pushback by Croatian police, including baton beatings and phone destruction, before being handed over to Serbian border police, who took them to PU Šid, processed them before a misdemeanour judge, and then relocated them to Preševo after a fine or jail time.

-Ethnic Composition – Mostly adult individuals from Afghanistan, Syria, and Turkey, with an increasing number from Morocco, Egypt, Palestine, and Iraq.

Creating Migrant Hubs Outside the EU

Source: RTS
Photo: RTS
Video: RTS

Belgrade, March 18, 2025 – Radoš Đurović, Governing Board Director of the Asylum Protection Center, appeared on Radio Television of Serbia (RTS) Morning Program, where he discussed the European Union’s announcements regarding the establishment of reception centers for migrants outside its borders. These centers are part of new measures aimed at speeding up the return of individuals whose asylum applications have been rejected.

Aforementioned “hubs” could be located in countries such as Albania, as stipulated by a pilot agreement between Italy and Albania, although final decisions have not yet been made. As Đurović explains, these centers would house individuals who have already been denied asylum, while decisions regarding their status would still be made within EU territory.

It is expected also that these centers accommodate vulnerable groups, including families and children. However, their establishment will depend on whether the EU manages to reach suitable agreements with third countries willing to host them. Additionally, questions remain about how human rights and international standards will be upheld within these centers.

The EU is also considering additional measures, such as confiscating documents and banning entry for those who refuse to return, while individuals who return voluntarily may be offered more lenient conditions for potential re-entry. Nevertheless, according to Đurović, in practice, only about 20% of individuals with negative asylum decisions are actually removed from the EU, which highlights the complexity and limited effectiveness of the current system.

Beyond legal and technical challenges, there is also the issue of local resistance in countries that might host these centers. Đurović warns that without clear understanding and support from the public, such agreements may face serious obstacles in implementation. The EU initiative is reminiscent of similar international arrangements, such as the UK’s agreement with Rwanda, and raises important questions about the fair distribution of responsibility in refugee protection, in line with international conventions.

RTS video available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvmgpWRYTV4

Initiative for Granting Asylum to Ukrainian Migrants Residing in Serbia

Source: APC
Photo: APC 

Belgrade, March 18, 2025 – Three years have passed since the beginning of the war in Ukraine and the granting of temporary protection to Ukrainians who fled to Serbia and remained in the country (the Government’s Decision on Temporary Protection was adopted on March 18, 2022). As there is no legal mechanism to extend the same temporary protection beyond two years, the question arises as to how temporary protection can be granted in 2025 to those who fled Ukraine and are living in Serbia.

Although the Law on Asylum and Temporary Protection does not provide for the possibility of extending temporary protection beyond two years from the date of the Government’s decision, the Decision on Amendments to the Government's Decision on Providing Temporary Protection in the Republic of Serbia to Displaced Persons from Ukraine (“Official Gazette of the RS,” No. 21/2024), adopted on March 15, 2024, stipulates that temporary protection is extended as long as the need/reasons for its adoption exist. Aforementioned Government Decision’s provision directly contradicts Article 75 of the Law on Asylum and Temporary Protection.

Since a Government decision cannot override or amend a law, which holds a higher legal status, and given that no legal amendments have been enacted, it is important to recognize that the very concept of temporary protection under the law emphasizes its temporary rather than permanent nature. Therefore, we propose that refugees from Ukraine residing in Serbia be granted asylum under the framework of subsidiary protection, as they have fled war and large-scale violence in Ukraine, which has persisted for more than three years. This measure would allow them to permanently regulate their legal status in Serbia.

Additionally, the issue of constant uncertainty and annual extensions of residence and protection creates significant obstacles for Ukrainian migrants in fully integrating into Serbian society and their local communities. Ukrainian migrants do not know whether and when they might have to leave the country, they struggle to extend access to healthcare and education for their children, and they face disruptions in employment due to the uncertainty surrounding their legal status. As a result, they live in constant fear and under significant psychological pressure.

According to the law, temporary protection is granted in extraordinary circumstances when state institutions lack the capacity to respond to a sudden and massive influx of refugees. The purpose of temporary protection is to buy time for institutions to reorganize and prepare for regular asylum procedures.

Since more than three years have passed since the start of the war in Ukraine and the Government’s initial decision to grant temporary protection, State Asylum Office now has the capacity to allow all individuals who fled from Ukraine and are residing in Serbia, to apply for asylum instead of being granted further temporary protection. Asylum should be granted under the scope of subsidiary protection without exception and within a short period. This is especially justified given that enough time has passed for the Asylum Office to improve its capacities and reorganize its operations to ensure that Ukrainian refugees are provided with long-term protection and residence in Serbia, in accordance with the Law on Asylum and Temporary Protection.

Moreover, implementing the asylum procedure for Ukrainian refugees does not require any legal amendments, parliamentary procedures, additional financial resources, or extra operational or other capacity. It only requires the dedicated and professional work of the Asylum Office within the envisaged short time frame of no more than a few months.

The Asylum Protection Center (APC) has submitted this initiative to the Border Police Sector of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Office of the Minister of Internal Affairs, and the Office of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia.

Child Trafficking: A Major Risk and Challenge for Regional Institutions

Source: RTS
TV Photo: RTS
Video: RTS

Belgrade, February 28, 2025 - The issue of child trafficking has suddenly shaken the Serbian and Western Balkan public following the discovery of 31 children confined in a private house in Brčko, suspected of being victims of human trafficking. In RTS’s morning program, we discussed the reasons why and how is child trafficking is so difficult to detect and prevent.

Human smuggling, hidden and well-organized trafficking networks, do not exclude child trafficking, while child exploitation occurs not only along migration routes, but also in destination countries. National institutions face significant challenges due to the speed and organization of smuggling operations, as well as their own national institutions’ limited capacities, lack of resources, and insufficient time to address this issue comprehensively and systematically—especially when the victims are not their own citizens.

Establishing effective cross-border cooperation and coordination remains particularly difficult, playing into the hands of traffickers. With decreasing capacities for sheltering and accommodating migrants and other vulnerable groups, it is expected that detecting such cases of child trafficking and exploitation will become increasingly difficult in the future.

Please watch TV broadcast at: https://www.rts.rs/lat/vesti/drustvo/5663027/brcko-pod-istragom--moguca-uloga-roditelja-u-trgovini-decom.html

Increase in Forceful Pushbacks from Hungary to Serbia

Source: APC
Photo: APC

Horgoš, February 12, 2025 – Although at reduced pace, Hungary continues to push back refugees into Serbian territory daily, effectively forcing them in Serbia without adhering to legal procedures. While throughout 2024, it appeared that refugees rarely reported violence by Hungarian police, since the beginning of this year, dozens of individuals, including women, have reported experiencing physical abuse before being taken in by joint patrols of Serbian and Frontex police at border crossings between Serbia and Hungary.

During January 2025, 33 individuals reported to APC teams that they had been pushed back from Hungary into Serbia, with as many as 20 of them describing violent pushbacks. These reports include beatings with batons on the stomach, back, and arms, as well as cases of mobile phones and chargers being occasionally confiscated or destroyed. Most of these reports have come from refugees originating from Syria, Afghanistan, Somalia, Morocco, Pakistan, Egypt, and Turkey.

One-third of those who were pushed back reported experiencing multiple pushbacks, meaning they underwent the same violent process at least twice before being forcibly pushed in Serbia. In January, women, families, and single mothers with children report of being pushed backed also.  

M.A. from Turkey recounted to APC staff that she was punched in the stomach before being pushed back into She explained that when she was punched, Hungarian police were beating the men in her group, mistakenly assuming she was also a man due to the lack of prior identification. As a result, she also experienced violence. That day, a total of 26 refugees—including 13 men, 3 women, and 3 children—were forcibly returned to Serbia under such conditions.

Z.M., a single mother from Somalia, who is currently in a reception camp in Bujanovac town with her three minor children, described how all four of them were pushed back twice within just a few days. She also witnessed Hungarian police violently assaulting other refugees within their group.

Regarding Serbian police procedures following the handover of refugees at the Hungarian border, reports indicate that authorities continue to detain between 40 to 50 individuals at the Horgoš police station for over 12 hours. According to the refugees’ testimonies, men, women, and children refugees remain confined together in a single room, where the only shared toilet is located within the same space.

On average, Hungarian police—in coordination with Serbian police and Frontex—push back and prevent at least 50 refugees from crossing into Hungary from Serbia each day.

Meloni’s migration deal with Albania fails once again

February 3, 2025 - The judges’ decisions are fuelling discontent within the government, which now faces an investigation into its recent repatriation of ICC-indicted Libyan warlord Almasri.

The Italy-Albania migration deal has hit yet another wall after a Rome court ordered that migrants be sent back - again.

On Monday, the Italian Navy rescued 49 migrants at sea and transferred them to the Albanian port of Shengjin under the Italy-Albania migrant protocol.

On Friday evening, the Rome Court of Appeal refused to validate their detention, meaning that all 43 remaining migrants were sent back to Italy on Saturday. Six had already been sent back to Italy after arriving in Albania because they were minors or in poor health.

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), the UN-affiliated agency responsible for pre-screening migrants based on medical assessments, was conspicuously absent this time, according to Democratic Party lawmakers who travelled to Albania for the arrival.

The court followed a lower court ruling in October, which referred the case to the EU Court of Justice for a final decision, expected on 25 February.

Expected blow at EU level

Italian judges have ruled that sending migrants to Albania contravenes an EU court ruling that member states must assess the safety of a country as a whole.

Friday's ruling comes amid a series of blows to the Italy-Albania deal, which has faced repeated roadblocks since day one - just as it did in October and November when two other groups of asylum seekers were sent back to Italy.

After the judicial setbacks, the government pushed for another reversal on 11 January.

Not a single migrant transferred to Albania since the deal was implemented has had their detention confirmed - they have all been sent back to Italy.

The estimated five-year cost of construction, staff management, travel, allowances, police accommodation and recruitment of new judges is €653.5 million.

Trump and Migrants: Is a New Global Crisis on the Horizon? (Audio)

Novi Sad, January 31, 2025 - In recent years, the world has been steadily shifting towards the right, a trend that has gained momentum since the 2008 financial crisis—one of the most severe economic downturns in modern history. Since then, the concept of social democracy has faced continuous setbacks due to successive crises, while nationalist and populist movements have gained strength, bringing with them increasingly restrictive anti-migrant policies. The return of Donald Trump to the White House would serve as a "tailwind" for right-wing movements across the globe, particularly in shaping attitudes towards migration. How will the White House’s initial decisions on deportations impact the rest of the world?

Trump’s Promised Deportations Spark Alarm in the Region: Thousands of Migrants Stranded "Midway" – Without Entry Visas or Passports

Mexican authorities have begun constructing massive shelters and setting up tents in the city of Ciudad Juárez to prepare for the influx of their citizens in response to the promised mass deportations from the United States. Amid a wave of legal proceedings and raids carried out by the new administration of Donald Trump, children have also been caught in the middle. Sara Márquez is the owner of a Mexican restaurant in New York. Her children are beneficiaries of a program that allows them to qualify as "legally present" in the United States. Now, everything has been brought into question – her family, her business, and the fate of her employees:

"We have been in business for five years. My lease has expired. I had to talk to my landlord and tell him that I don’t know what will happen. I don’t know how much longer I can extend the lease because I don’t even know what awaits me or whether I will be deported. My family runs two businesses, and thank God, we employ people from the community. I try to tell my family, my staff, everyone: 'Hey, you know, we can do this, everything will be fine.' But how can I say that when I don’t even know if Trump will revoke the program in two years?" said this worried New Yorker.

At the end of last week, Colombia was on the brink of a trade war with Washington due to its refusal to cooperate with Trump’s deportation program. Among the first to be affected by the anti-migrant measures were Venezuelan nationals who had just begun their journey to the United States. The cancellation of thousands of so-called security permits, which allow for legal travel and entry, as part of Donald Trump’s first executive orders, has left thousands of migrants stranded in precarious situations—stuck halfway, without permits and without passports that would allow them to return.

"I have been here for 11 months. I think it's time to return to my country, unfortunately. I came here to apply for a safe conduct permit, which was supposedly issued five months ago. Two months ago, I found out that they won’t give it to me and that they are asking for a passport, which costs me $420, $430. I will get it in five months, but how can I live here when I don’t have a stable job?" testifies one of the "stranded" immigrants, whose life has become even more complicated due to Trump's decisions.

Photo: EPA-EFE/Luis Torres

Based on analyses from the latest population census, there are approximately 11 million so-called unauthorized immigrants in the United States. Among them, around 5 million are Mexicans, with several hundred thousand lacking personal documents. This situation is creating a new crisis and instability on both sides of the American continent. A similar impact was observed during previous crackdowns, such as the construction of the border wall with Mexico, explains Radoš Đurović, Director of the Asylum Protection Center:

“These intensified border measures have only played into the hands of smugglers, who have raised their prices and made border crossings much riskier, yet they have not stopped the tens of thousands of people arriving. The U.S. is now a different society. Once a nation built on immigration and refugees, it is now attempting to seal itself off due to deteriorating living conditions and internal social unrest. These efforts face strong opposition from the American public, particularly the judiciary, which remains entirely independent and acts as a major barrier to Donald Trump’s executive powers and the actions of federal agencies at the border. This will continue to destabilize the situation in the U.S., further radicalizing debates, as a significant portion of the population opposes these measures. Moreover, it will place immense pressure on Mexico and other neighboring countries to prevent migrants from reaching the U.S. border in the first place. This means substantial financial and political investments will be required for Central American countries, which are closer to the U.S. border, to serve as de facto hubs or hotspots for refugees,” Đurović explained to Radio Novi Sad.

Đurović also raises concerns about the feasibility of Trump’s plan, considering that an operation of such scale would likely take years, incur enormous costs, and face strong resistance within American society. While the new White House administration is issuing its first directives to immigration services and law enforcement, institutions, legal teams, and organizations that systematically address this issue are not standing idly by.

Murad Awadeh, Executive Director of the New York Immigration Coalition, delivered an important message: "Lawsuits have begun. The fight will continue, and we have a massive task ahead. But the most important thing is for our communities to know that they have rights. They have the right to remain silent if approached by immigration authorities or any agency that intercepts and questions them on the street. We are fighting for our communities to stay in the state of New York."

Europe Prepares for the Return of Its Citizens While Still Struggling with the Wave of Irregular Migration

Although Latin American countries are the first to be affected, others are also preparing for the return of their nationals—including European states. Among the first to respond was Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who stated that Warsaw is ready to face deportations.

"Following the initial announcements of possible mass deportations of illegal immigrants from the United States, I have asked the Minister of Foreign Affairs to ensure that our consulates and Polish services based in the U.S. are prepared for the potential consequences of these decisions. This could affect Poles who work and live in America with various legal statuses. We currently do not have information on whether and to what extent this operation will impact Polish citizens in the U.S. However, Warsaw’s diplomatic missions must be prepared for an influx of Poles who may feel concerned about Trump's potential actions. Every returning Pole will be warmly welcomed. Everyone will find a place for themselves in their homeland," Tusk assured. At the same time, he announced a stricter policy toward migrants arriving in Poland. Despite the fact that this stance puts Poland at odds with Brussels, the country has already begun investing in stronger border infrastructure in an effort to reduce crossings, guided by its policy of national protection.

However, it seems that Germany has taken this form of extremism the farthest. The country that, under Angela Merkel, welcomed hundreds of thousands of migrants now wants to remove them as quickly as possible. Riding the wave of growing anti-migrant sentiment, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) has risen to prominence, making migration the central issue of its campaign for the upcoming elections. The party's leader and potential future chancellor, Alice Weidel, stated:

"Because we must save Germany, as our homeland has fallen into a clear imbalance. No issue moves people as much as having to watch our cities become increasingly unsafe. I have been criticized for my speech because I used the word remigration. I will repeat it here—now we need remigration in order to live safely."

What is the fate of the Western Balkans?

Has such a policy gained additional momentum with Donald Trump's return to the White House, and is Europe facing a new escalation of cross-border pressure on illegal migrants? Radoš Đurović warns that this development is realistic, yet at the same time, contradictory:

"Trump's rhetoric and measures will certainly give momentum to more radical positions of right-wing and far-right parties in Europe, which are already building their political programs around this narrative and achieving considerable success. Therefore, we can expect to see a rise in anti-migrant policies in the Balkans as well. However, this approach clashes with reality. We see this contradiction even in Germany, which is simultaneously signing agreements to bring in labor from Asia and Africa while advocating for stricter migration controls. These are contradictory messages, yet political elites still believe they can capitalize on fear, the lack of integration, misunderstandings, and isolated incidents to gain political points.  Many political leaders recognize that by worsening public sentiment toward migration and increasing antagonism, they can make it even harder for migrants to settle in local communities. But from our experience on the ground, we know that such an approach only leads to greater problems. These people will not simply disappear; instead, they will become further isolated and discriminated against. At that point, they are no longer just victims but also perceived as a source of problems," explains Đurović.

Photo: Ministry of Interior

It is essential to mention the so-called Balkan route, one of the main migratory pathways into Europe. How complicated is this situation for Serbia? Radoš Đurović warns that the Western Balkan countries, including Serbia, will continue to share the fate of transit states, making it crucial for societies in the region to manage migration effectively:

“These areas will become in a way ‘war zones’ where migrants are expected to be physically stopped and returned to their countries of origin. This raises numerous concerns—ranging from compliance with the legal frameworks of Western Balkan and transit countries, which are now turning into ‘hotspots,’ to human rights issues and the methods used to stop migrants, protection from potential abuses and violence, and the expansion of smuggling networks that exploit these restrictive policies. A great deal will be expected from transit countries. They will be seen as barriers, required to build capacities similar to those in Albania or otherwise assume responsibility for preventing migration from reaching the most developed parts of the world.”

"The people arriving will not stop coming," notes the interviewee for Radio Novi Sad, adding that the only real solution to global migration is to create conditions for a normal life in the countries of origin or in the surrounding regions.

"With all the upcoming restrictive measures—from physical barriers to financial constraints and political pressures aimed at compelling transit countries to be more effective in stopping these people—it will be difficult for local societies to adapt to this issue, especially if the political elite’s narrative begins to shift, mirroring that of destination countries. If the Western Balkans, including Serbia, were to change their stance on refugees and migrants and start blaming them for economic, security, and other issues, we would be fostering antagonism within our societies. I’d like to remind everyone that Serbian society itself has a history of displacement and deeply understands why people flee. If we antagonize society the way it is happening now in Germany, it will be incredibly difficult to reach any kind of agreement. Even those same political elites would later struggle to regain control over the situation."

Donald Trump has declared illegal immigration in the United States a national emergency. This situation is already spilling over to the country’s southern neighbors, while the rest of the world closely watches Washington’s next moves and decisions. Immigration and reform of the system have been a subject of political battles in the U.S. for decades, with consequences felt by all.

More details available in the audio recording: https://rtv.rs/sr_lat/politika/tramp-i-migranti-da-li-je-na-pomolu-nova-kriza-u-svetu-(audio)_1603017.html

Rise of Anti-Migrant Rhetoric Ahead of Elections in Germany

Source: RTS
Photo: RTS

Belgrade, January 30, 2025 - Radoš Đurović, The Asylum Protection Center (APC) President of the Management Board, commented on the situation in Germany during the RTS Morning Program, focusing on the rise of anti-migrant rhetoric among political elites ahead of the parliamentary elections in February, growing fear and dissatisfaction that is linked with the integration challenges in local communities and the large annual influx of both irregular and legal migrants, which German society and institutions struggle to accommodate sustainably.

Proposals for populist, shocking, and short-term measures, such as declaring a state of emergency or deviating from EU and German laws and constitutional principles, are primarily aimed at winning over voters from the opposing right-wing spectrum, with little real likelihood of these measures being adopted or implemented during the ongoing pre-election period.

Please watch TV broadcast at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9cnUNS3J1I