Shadows across borders: The global migration crisis and Assam's warning

In Assam, too, the security establishment has flagged concerns about radical organizations gaining a foothold in pockets where illegal migration is concentrated. The worry is not just economic strain but potential destabilization, as hostile actors may exploit unsettled communities.

- DEBIKA DUTTA

Across Europe and North America, the debate over migration has reached a fever pitch. In London, Paris, and Berlin, tens of thousands have taken to the streets—some demanding stricter border controls, others defending humanitarian responsibilities. In Britain, the government's controversial Rwanda deportation plan has triggered fierce political battles, with protests erupting in major cities. France has seen demonstrations both against rising anti-immigrant rhetoric and against the perceived inability of the state to integrate newcomers. Germany, reeling from violent clashes linked to asylum-seekers, is witnessing the far-right AfD gaining ground, riding on anti-immigration sentiments. Meanwhile, Italy, on the frontline of Mediterranean crossings, faces unending pressure as boats packed with migrants from Africa and the Middle East arrive daily, testing both resources and political patience. Even the United States is not immune—record crossings at the Mexican border have sparked widespread polarization, with immigration shaping electoral politics more than ever.

What ties these seemingly disparate geographies together is a deep unease over identity, security, and demographic change. Western democracies that once celebrated diversity as a strength are now grappling with the limits of assimilation and the anxieties of their native populations. Economic burdens, competition for jobs, cultural clashes, and even fears of radicalization are pushing the migration issue to the heart of national debates. It is no longer merely about humanitarianism or open borders; it is about the sustainability of societies as they try to reconcile compassion with national interest.