Inside Geneva – "What’s our problem with immigration?"

Host: Imogen Foulkes
Guests: Jan Egeland (Norwegian Refugee Council), Philippe Bolopion (Human Rights Watch), Vincent Shetai (Graduate Institute Geneva), Right-wing critics
Date: February 17, 2026

Overview

This episode of Inside Geneva tackles the divisive and polarized debate around immigration — especially in Europe and the United States. Host Imogen Foulkes and a range of guests scrutinize the rhetoric, policies, and facts that shape public opinion and politics, asking: Why has immigration become so contentious? What do studies reveal about the impacts of migrants? How does the toxic narrative affect human rights, and what is at stake? The presenters aim to separate myth from reality and call for the defense of fundamental rights.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Race to the Bottom in Refugee Support (Europe)

• Jan Egeland laments the hardening of European borders and a retreat from humanitarian values.
  • Quote: "We're rather seeing one country after the other erecting barbed wire around their country and around our continent. And it's in contradiction with the Geneva Convention of 1951, which was made by and for European refugees at the time." (03:40)
  • Egeland observes a shift toward nationalism and xenophobia, calling it "a battle of values" Europe is currently losing. (04:34)
  • He refutes claims that refugees are to blame for Europe’s problems: "It will be a problem for Europe and aging Europe if we do not have people coming from outside." (05:39)

2. Debate on Aid, Solidarity, and Self-Interest

• Egeland argues that supporting displaced people abroad is both a humanitarian duty and in Europe's interest.
  • Quote: "If you want to live in a stable world without uncontrolled migration, pandemics, wars and insecurity. You invest in hope for people who have been displaced." (06:29)
  • He stresses the need to communicate success stories and warns that inward-looking attitudes will have consequences. (07:29)

3. Rise of Anti-Immigrant Rhetoric and Human Rights Threats (US Focus)

• Philippe Bolopion (Human Rights Watch) highlights how justifiable border control is being used to excuse mistreatment and rights violations of migrants.
  • Quote: "Setting lawful immigration policies does not mean that you have the right to mistreat migrants... That's a clear violation of human rights norms." (10:07)
  • Cites increased US deportations to El Salvador, torture, and abuse in foreign prisons as evidence the US has crossed red lines. (10:07–11:36)

4. The Danger of Demonizing Language

• Bolopion notes the political exploitation of anti-immigrant sentiment, which props up illiberal, populist movements on both sides of the Atlantic.
  • Quote: "They are demonizing them in ways that are extremely dangerous and sort of contrary to human rights values and human rights norms." (11:57)
  • Rhetoric, particularly from figures like President Trump, can inspire real-world violence.
  • Quote: "The demonization of entire communities does have real life consequences." (14:02)

5. Facts vs. Fear — What Does the Data Show?

• Vincent Shetai (Graduate Institute, Geneva) delivers evidence contradicting the commonly held negative beliefs about migrants:
  • Migrant workers generally do not compete for jobs with nationals; they often fill roles nationals avoid. (19:23)
  • Western health sectors (UK, US, Europe) would collapse without migrant workers; migrants do not overuse public services. (20:04)
  • Crime rates among migrants are actually lower than the general population, except for administrative offenses. (21:17)
  • Quote: "Overall, most studies make clear that migrant workers are not in competition with national workers on the labor market." (17:09, 19:23)
  • Housing shortages are tied to market conditions, not migration. (20:04)
  • Spain’s pro-immigrant approach correlated with economic dynamism, though Shetai cautions against over-simplification. (22:35)

6. The Problem of Perception and Political Manipulation

• Despite overwhelming data, Shetai voices concern about the rejection of fact-based discussion and the normalization of hate speech:
  • Quote: "Even a pure evidence-based approach is no longer accepted as such... We are reaching a peak in terms of violent anti migrant rhetoric which has nothing to do with reality." (23:30)
  • Political actors use migrants as scapegoats, deflecting focus from real societal issues like climate change, unemployment, and health. (23:30–25:33)

7. Human Rights, Democracy, and What’s at Stake

• Bolopion and Shetai both warn that undermining migrants’ rights imperils broader democratic norms.
  • Bolopion describes a “rapid deterioration of democracy” in the US and attacks on checks and balances. (27:58–29:25)
  • The Trump administration is depicted as hostile to human rights domestically and globally. (27:58)

8. Rallying Call for Action

• Bolopion closes with a call to defend human rights everywhere, warning that democracy erodes “with a thousand cuts” if people renounce their rights.
  • Quote: "If we are to push back against this trend of receding human rights, receding democracy, it's really for people to rise up wherever they are and do whatever they can to not tolerate, you know, an encroachment on their basic rights." (29:51)

Standout Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Jan Egeland: “We're not willing anymore to share protection... It's a battle of values, and we are losing this battle of values at the moment.” (04:34)
• Philippe Bolopion: “Setting lawful immigration policies does not mean that you have the right to mistreat migrants, even migrants who are undocumented.” (10:07)
• Philippe Bolopion: “The demonization of entire communities does have real world consequences.” (14:02)
• Vincent Shetai: “Even a pure evidence based approach is no longer accepted as such... We are reaching a peak in terms of violent anti migrant rhetoric which has nothing to do with reality.” (23:30)
• Philippe Bolopion: “Democracy dies with a whimper, not with a big bang. It dies through a thousand cuts when people renounce their rights.” (29:51)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Time | Subject/Segment | |----------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:14 | Jan Egeland on Europe’s refugee fatigue and 'race to the bottom' | | 03:40 | Critique of border barriers & Geneva Convention | | 05:39 | Egeland refutes blaming refugees for Europe’s woes | | 06:29 | Case for solidarity as in Europe’s own self-interest | | 09:04 | US immigration crackdown — human rights under threat | | 10:07 | Bolopion on legal rights vs. mistreatment | | 11:57 | The illiberal wave and political demonization | | 14:02 | Rhetorical consequences — crime and civilizational ‘threat’ | | 17:09 | Nuanced data from Vincent Shetai at the Graduate Institute Geneva | | 19:23 | Migrant labor and job market impacts—myths busted | | 20:04 | Migrants and the health/housing system | | 21:17 | Crime and the “undocumented” argument | | 22:35 | Spain’s amnesty, immigration, and its economic vibrancy | | 23:30 | Shetai on the gap between facts, perceptions, and hate speech normalization | | 27:58 | Bolopion: defending democracy and the challenge from the US administration | | 29:51 | Rallying cry to defend rights against creeping authoritarianism |

Conclusion

The episode concludes with a united call from both guests and the host: facts must be defended, human rights protected, and negative narratives about migration must be challenged both for the good of migrants and the foundational values of our societies. Engaged citizens are urged not to be passive as rights erode—immigration is not just a policy issue, it is a frontline for democracy and shared humanity.

Tone:
The discussion is sober, urgent, and impassioned — balancing data and personal appeal; occasionally sharp where debunking myths or criticizing policy, but remaining reasoned and respectful throughout.