Washington D.C., USA – Hungarian immigration policy took center stage during a high-level international conference hosted at the U.S. Capitol, highlighting a growing global interest in Hungary’s strict border-control strategy. Organized by the International Network of Migration Research (INIR), the event brought together leading migration experts, U.S. officials, and Hungarian policymakers for in-depth discussions on border security, sovereignty, and the future of migration policy.
The conference followed a thought-provoking panel at the Hungarian Embassy in Washington, where a comprehensive book on Hungary’s migration framework was unveiled. Viktor Marsai, Director of the Hungarian Migration Research Institute, described the INIR as a forum challenging conventional narratives, asking “the tough questions progressive ideologies often avoid.”
Marsai emphasized that Hungary’s approach has attracted attention beyond Europe, with several elements mirrored in recent U.S. policy changes. “Over the past decade and a half, Hungary has proven that firm borders and legal frameworks can coexist with humanitarian responsibilities,” he noted.
The U.S. Departments of State and Homeland Security participated in the embassy panel, providing insights into the Trump administration’s pivot toward more robust immigration controls. Officials cited Hungary as a case study for effective deterrence, particularly in the context of illegal border crossings and asylum processing reforms.
Key Policy Points:
The U.S. administration emphasized deterrence over open-door policies.
Collaboration with countries like Hungary was encouraged.
Focus was placed on addressing root causes of migration while denying it as a universal right.
Eric Ruark, Director of Research at NumbersUSA, highlighted that “illegal border crossings dropped by 95%,” crediting a firm policy stance, but acknowledged ongoing challenges in deportations.
Hungary’s Ambassador to the U.S., Szabolcs Takács, reiterated that “sovereignty begins at the border,” defending Hungary’s firm stance within the Schengen framework. He criticized EU institutions for penalizing Hungary’s legal compliance with border protections, calling it a “double standard.”
According to György Bakondi, Chief Adviser to the Hungarian Prime Minister, Hungary’s early actions during the 2015 migration crisis, including public consultations, legal fortifications, and physical barriers, are now influencing policy choices across the Atlantic and Europe alike.
Shifting European Sentiment Bakondi added that increasing public dissatisfaction with open migration policies has catalyzed change in Austria, Germany, Italy, and the UK. Notably, Hungary, Poland, and the Netherlands have rejected the EU’s controversial migration pact, challenging the bloc’s consensus-driven approach.
As more European nations align with Hungary’s national sovereignty-driven model, Bakondi predicted, “a reckoning may soon arrive in Brussels—where rushed, ill-considered decisions could be replaced with pragmatic, nation-focused policy reform.