Examining Trump’s UN Claims About Europe’s Migration Flows

FACT FOCUS: Checking Trump’s UN Claims on Migration in Europe

Trump’s Harsh Words at the UN

Speaking before the U.N. General Assembly in Madrid, President Donald Trump sharply criticized European leaders, accusing them of failing to stem irregular migration. He claimed that Europe was being overwhelmed by outsiders and that little was being done to address the situation.

In reality, European data shows a different picture: irregular border crossings have actually been declining for much of the past decade.

Border Crossings in Decline

Trump’s Claim: “Europe is in serious trouble. They’ve been invaded by a force of illegal aliens like nobody’s ever seen before.”

The Facts: According to Frontex, the EU’s border control agency, irregular crossings dropped about 20% between January and August compared with the same period last year. Around 112,000 people attempted to cross external EU borders, down from nearly 140,000 in 2024. Some individuals may have been counted more than once.

Although immigration continues to dominate European politics — especially since the 2015 surge of refugees fleeing conflicts such as Syria’s civil war — asylum requests have not matched that peak. In 2024, EU nations received about 900,000 asylum applications, a 13% decline from 2023. The record remains 1.2 million in 2015.

Struggles With Deportation

Trump’s Claim: “Illegal aliens are pouring into Europe, and nobody’s doing anything to change it, to get them out.”

The Facts: EU states issue over 400,000 deportation orders annually, but only about 20% are enforced, according to the European Commission. Authorities cite complex geography, political realities, and limited cooperation from countries of origin as barriers.

“People spread across many countries with different systems and politics,” said Chris Borowski, a Frontex spokesperson. “And not every government readily accepts the return of its citizens.”

Migrants in European Prisons

Trump’s Claim: “In Germany, 50% of prisoners are foreign nationals. Austria 53%, Greece 54%, Switzerland 72%.”

The Facts: Trump exaggerated Germany’s figure. In 2024, about 37% of inmates in Germany were foreign-born, not half. Austria’s numbers were close — nearly half of inmates are non-citizens — and Switzerland’s figure was accurate: roughly 73% of its prison population consists of foreigners, a statistic stable for two decades.

Experts note these figures are influenced by factors beyond crime rates. Femke van der Meulen of Prison Watch explained that foreign nationals face higher visibility, less access to stable housing, and stricter detention policies, all of which increase incarceration likelihood.

London’s Mayor and Sharia Law

Trump’s Claim: “London has a terrible mayor… now they want to go to Sharia law.”

The Facts: London’s mayor, Sadiq Khan, has never proposed introducing Sharia. He described himself as a Muslim leading “a liberal, multicultural, progressive city.”

The U.K. does host Sharia councils that handle family and marriage disputes within Muslim communities, much like Jewish Beth Din courts serve Britain’s Jewish population. However, these councils hold no power over the British legal system.