World

Europe Edges Closer to Trump-Style Immigration Policies

By Neelesh Pandey - 22 Jul 2025 03:23 PM

Across Europe, governments are increasingly taking a stricter approach to immigration that mirrors many of the ideas once considered extreme under former U.S. President Donald Trump. From border control to asylum processing, policies once seen as fringe are now entering mainstream politics. European countries are tightening deportation rules, limiting access to asylum, and exploring offshore centers to handle migrants — moves that strongly echo Trump-era strategies.

Italy, for example, is setting up centers outside its own borders to process asylum claims, aiming to keep migrants from stepping foot on European soil. Hungary is building fences and making it clear it doesn’t welcome mass migration. Even traditionally moderate countries like Germany and France are now pushing for quicker deportations and tougher screening procedures. These shifts reflect growing public pressure to address irregular migration and the rise of nationalist movements across the continent.

What’s notable is that this change is no longer limited to right-wing parties. Centrist leaders, once cautious about adopting hardline policies, are now borrowing tactics to avoid losing votes to more extreme rivals. This political shift shows that the influence of Trump’s approach has quietly taken hold in Europe—not necessarily through rhetoric, but through real policy changes.

While these moves may address some border-control concerns, they also risk straining European unity and raising legal and moral questions about the treatment of migrants and refugees. As countries move further in this direction, Europe faces a defining challenge: balancing public demand for control with its commitment to human rights and international law.