Description
The paper builds on the analysis of European Commission policy documents between 2015 and 2018 dealing with the so-called refugee crisis in Europe, addressing border control inside the EU through a multi-layer process between the external borders like Greece and the internal borders like Germany. It juxtaposes Europe's external borders representing the periphery of the continent and Europe's internal borders representing the continent's centre from the perspective of 'crisis'. It highlights the use of European countries with external borders as a 'shield' to Western and Central Europe.
The paper will tackle two dimensions: the external dimension, including measures at the level of external borders of Europe like Italy and Greece, to halt primary movement inside Europe and the internal dimension, dealing with measures in other Member States aiming at halting secondary movement.
The paper highlights border spaces inside Europe, emphasising exclusion through inclusion in a border space where asylum seekers are confined to external borders. Therefore, migrants are seen by the European Commission as a threat and an interruption to the celebrated Schengen system. The system excludes people without a membership and includes people with a membership.
