The reflection of migration policy in the security strategic documents of the usa and the eu: a political science perspective

Abstract

The article provides a comparative analysis of the perception of migration policy in the strategic documents of the United States and the European Union from a political science perspective. The aim of the study is to examine how migration is both securitized and institutionalized within different political systems, as well as to assess the impact of these processes on policy formulation and implementation. The theoretical framework is based on securitization theory, which allows for an analysis of how migration is constructed as a security issue and what political consequences arise from this discourse. The study employs a comparative and qualitative methodology, based on the content analysis of strategic policy documents. The findings show that in the U.S. National Security Strategy, migration is primarily framed within a security-centered logic, where priority is given to border control, risk management, and selective immigration policies. At the same time, it also incorporates economic and integration dimensions, forming a hybrid governance model. In contrast, the European Union’s strategic approach is characterized by a multi-level and normatively oriented human-centered discourse, in which migration is viewed not only as a security challenge but also as an issue of human rights, social stability, and regional cooperation. However, at the level of practical implementation, there is a growing emphasis on externalization and control mechanisms, indicating internal contradictions within the EU framework. The article concludes that both the United States and the European Union develop hybrid models of migration governance, where securitization and management approaches are combined in different proportions. These differences are shaped by institutional structures and value priorities, which play a decisive role in the formation of migration policies.