[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 69 (Friday, April 27, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E559]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        EUROPE'S MIGRANT CRISIS

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 27, 2018

  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, as much as we like to pretend that the 
chaos of the Middle East and Africa is contained to those regions, it 
is not. Violent conflict, political oppression, and economic hardship 
anywhere causes ripple effects across the globe.
  These secondary effects of distant unrest create serious challenges 
for ourselves and our allies. Nowhere is this more true than the 
ongoing migrant crisis that is fundamentally changing Europe.
  Our European allies are facing an unprecedented wave of refugees and 
immigrants flooding across their borders. Many are innocent families 
fleeing danger, poverty, and starvation. But there are some who have 
ill intent. The foreign fighter phenomenon has disguised wolves in 
sheep's clothing and requires increased vigilance.
  Our European friends have for centuries faced daunting challenges 
coming from their near abroad. Even the Roman Empire faced a mass 
migration problem coming from Asia. But with more people displaced 
today than during the Second World War, the challenge is enormous and 
we must assist Europe to develop a strategy.
  The freedom and prosperity of the West has always been an oasis in a 
world of instability and tyranny. Europeans, just like Americans, wish 
they could help all those in need but understand there are limits to 
what can be done. Slamming the door shut seems cruel but leaving it 
wide open creates a new set of problems.
  Every society faces strain when mass migration occurs. And there are 
real cultural, security, and economic implications which must be 
considered and addressed. The nations of Europe, as independent 
sovereign states, ultimately will determine their own course in how to 
tackle this challenge. But they have a responsibility as members of the 
European community and as good neighbors, to be mindful of the 
vulnerabilities and issues that arise from their decisions.
  We have seen a recent wave of terrorism rock many of the great cities 
of Europe. This threat is very much linked to the wave of refugees and 
migrants coming from conflict zones in the Middle East, South Asia, and 
Africa. While many of the perpetrators of these attacks were European 
citizens and second or third generation immigrants, the massive flow of 
new migrants has created a challenge in tracking suspected extremists 
as they move to and from distant war zones. As many as 5,000 EU 
citizens have traveled to Syria or Iraq to join ISIS or other terrorist 
groups, and it is estimated that 30 percent of these individuals have 
returned to Europe.
  Intelligence sharing and security cooperation among our European 
allies and ourselves is key to capturing returning foreign fighters and 
thwarting homegrown attacks. But developing ways to integrate migrant 
populations into their new European societies is important as well. 
Having entire communities that are isolated or not assimilated to their 
new countries sets the stage for radicalization and unrest.
  European nations are in their right to enforce the rule of law and 
control their borders. Meanwhile they should also find ways to absorb 
and welcome migrants who have legally joined their nations. A nation is 
not a nation without laws, borders, and an engaged citizenry.
  Where we can, we must help our European friends to address this 
migrant crisis. Either through sharing of intelligence, building 
capacity, or addressing the source of the migrant crisis in the trouble 
regions of the world.
  As allies, it is our duty to support our European friends whatever 
the challenge. History has shown us that our fates are inevitably 
linked.
  And that's just the way it is.

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