The revolutions in the Middle East are easily some of the most influential events of our times. With governments toppling and the prospect of more freedom and democracy, we can easily see the area is different than it was a decade ago.
Yet with all the great change that may come from the current conflicts, we must be careful about some things. Beyond the growing concerns about which new regimes might turn violent in the near future, the problem of refugees can be just as troublesome.
With all the violence breaking out in these areas, some will understandably flee to safer countries. We’ve seen this before, with examples ranging from the emigration of Eastern Europeans during World War II to the 2006 Lebanese War.
As of 2009, the U.N. Refugee Agency estimates that more than 42 million refugees exist worldwide.
Obviously, it’s an important subject and shouldn’t be taken lightly.
What further builds upon this problem, however, is the fact that immigration is already seen as a major problem for some countries.
Whether it’s here in the U.S. or in countries like France or Sweden, strong anti-immigration movements have taken hold. While the problems of illegal immigration might be legitimate, refugees cannot be lumped with them.
In France, we have the leader of the National Front party, Marine Le Pen. While she has been pushing hard against illegal immigrants in the last few months, her recent actions have gone too far.
She visited the Italian island of Lampedusa on March 15, where many Tunisians have fled to since the revolts earlier this year. While there, Le Pen said she has “a lot of compassion for you, but Europe can’t welcome you. We don’t have the financial means.”
Although her statement may hold some truth given Europe’s current economic situation, we cannot let it hamper our humanitarian actions. Thankfully, some protesters from Lampedusa agree with me and demonstrated against Le Pen’s visit.
To further combat this inevitable wave of immigration, Le Pen wants to go even further than simply turning back refugees coming across the Mediterranean Sea.
Ideally, the far-right Frenchwoman would like to see the free movement only happen throughout Europe (like we have between states here in the U.S.) and recreate stricter borders between the countries.
As someone who loves this free movement and would love to see the idea spread further throughout the world, Le Pen’s idea sounds absolutely horrible.
It may just be a further sign of the times, however, given the statements of several countries and leaders regarding the idea of multiculturalism throughout Europe.
Both British Prime Minister David Cameron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have openly stated multiculturalism has failed, and instead has only served to foster Islamic extremism in their countries.
Even Sweden, which has often prided itself on its acceptance of immigrants, has started to join the regional backlash against immigration.
Just as Le Pen thinks, there is going to be a wave of immigrants from today’s current revolution-torn areas. It’s simply inevitable.
Undoubtedly, some of these ripples may spread out far enough to affect us as well. If we truly do support democracy and its growing emergence in the Middle East, both we and the European Union must simply deal with its side effects.
To do otherwise would simply undermine any of our claims of support.
This, more than starting more military campaigns, is what we should focus on.
Zachary Davis is a 20-year-old history junior from Warsaw, Poland. Follow him on Twitter @TDR_zdavis.
 
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Contact Zachary Davis at [email protected]