TRANSFORMATION OF THE MIGRATION POLICY IN THE EU: THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC

This paper examines the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the transformation of the migration policy of the EU member states. Recent analyses reveal that the migration flows in the last decade from the Middle East has prompted the EU member states to reform their migration policy. Public debates surrounding this process based on criticizing the EU’s open border policies to accept refugees. In light of the increasing anti-refugee approaches in the social and political sphere of the EU, Covid-19 pandemic of 2020 has led the EU member states to close their borders and reevaluating relations with other countries. Through a qualitative research and analysis of primary sources, this paper aims to reveal this new security perspective that prioritizes public health and considers the impact of the refugees on the broader society. The research in the case of Germany reveals that during the pandemic the touristic visits were restricted and the applications for asylum seekers from outside of the EU were suspended. Additionally, the digitalization process of migration of EU member states’ affected to have a new selection process for the highly qualified migrants to be welcomed in the member states.