US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth recently made controversial remarks suggesting that European nations are experiencing what he described as an “invasion” of migrants. These comments were delivered during a D-Day anniversary event in Normandy, where Hegseth expressed concerns about the situation on various European beaches, including those in Spain, Italy, Greece, and Bulgaria.
Despite Hegseth’s assertion, official data indicates a significant decrease in irregular migration since the peak of the 2015 refugee crisis. For instance, Greece has seen a notable drop in arrivals by small boat from 856,723 in 2015 to 41,696 in 2025, representing a 95% decrease. Similarly, Italy has experienced a decline from 153,842 arrivals in 2015 to 66,316 in 2025, marking a 56.9% reduction.
In the UK, net migration has also decreased to its lowest level since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, standing at 171,000 in the year ending December 2025, down nearly half from the previous year. Additionally, approximately 36,000 individuals arrived by small boat in the year ending May 31, 2026, representing a 13% decrease compared to the previous year.
Hegseth’s comments follow remarks by US Vice-President JD Vance, who linked the murder of Henry Nowak to what he termed a “mass invasion of migrants.” These statements sparked reactions from Downing Street, criticizing individuals attempting to sow division in response to Nowak’s tragic death.
Moreover, the US State Department associated “two-tier policing” with Nowak’s murder, echoing sentiments expressed by Reform UK leader Nigel Farage. The Secretary of State emphasized the need to reject ideological conditioning and two-tiered policing to prevent societal decline, expressing condolences to Nowak’s family and the people of the United Kingdom during this difficult period.
Downing Street dismissed any allegations of two-tier policing in the UK, underscoring the importance of unity and respect in the face of adversity.