e issue of migration is of great concern to European Union bodies, for a number of reasons: the sheer number of immigrants residing in the Union, the high rate of migratory growth, migratory pressure, particularly from Africa, increased global competition to attract the best brains, the issue of Europe's aging population, fears of a shrinking working population, the issue of integration... The Union's immigration policy seems to be part of a voluntary strategy aimed at controlling immigration in line with the European Union's project and needs. We will begin by examining the rationale behind this policy, which appears to be based on voluntary choices made by Europeans. The harmonization of the Union's immigration policy is the corollary of the free movement of people, which is one of the four freedoms of the Community (along with those of goods, services and capital). The decisions taken may appear to be in line with a voluntary strategy, like the common agricultural policy or regional policy... However, closer examination raises the question of whether the Union's immigration policy choices are not part of a forced strategy.
