Too Many Migrants in Europe?

For the last decade, record levels of migrants have crossed sea and land borders into Europe, most of them hoping for a better, safer life. But Europeans are coming to realize that the current rates of immigration are unsustainable (The Telegraph, December 8, 2023). The UK’s recently resigned immigration minister, Robert Jenrick, acknowledged, “Integration [of immigrants] is impossible if you let in over 1.2 million new people as we have done over the last two years.”

Ireland is also seeing “unsustainable” immigration (Sky News, December 10, 2023). Through April 2023, there was a 50 percent rise in immigration to the Emerald Isle, compared to the previous year; and according to the 2022 census, 20 percent of the resident population in Ireland had been born outside of Ireland—that is, around one million out of 5.1 million people.

Over the years, France has welcomed immigrants, but that is changing as French culture is being transformed. French streets are becoming increasingly crowded and dangerous. A draft law in the French parliament will make immigration more difficult and put greater restrictions on migrants (Deutsche Welle, December 10, 2023). Many citizens in France and across Europe are frustrated by uncontrolled and unmanaged immigration. Increasingly, European nations lack the ability to house, feed, and take care of the medical needs of growing numbers of immigrants, which also limits goods and services available for legal residents.

God warned the Israelite-descended peoples—including many current European nations—that due to their rejection of God and His laws, “The alien who is among you shall rise higher and higher above you, and you shall come down lower and lower” (Deuteronomy 28:43). And the impact of these high immigration rates on the cultural foundation that once helped to unify these nations is apparent to those with eyes to see. What we are seeing in many nations of Western Europe and other Israelite nations is the fulfillment of these ancient prophecies—and it will continue. To gain a biblical perspective on this disturbing trend, review our insightful commentary on “Europe’s Ticking Time Bomb.”