This past week, Hungary’s government has declared a policy allowing Venezuelan people seeking asylum to enter Hungary if they can prove Hungarian ancestry, however far down the road that may be. While these migrants are grateful for having a safe place to reside, the policy does raise some questions in light of the status quo of Hungary’s current administration, which remains largely anti-immigration.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban campaigned heavily on his anti-immigration views. For many, it’s hard to decipher why Orban would allow such a thing. For years Orban has rejected refugees and migrants from countries such as Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan. These countries are geographically closer to Hungary, and one would think that it makes more sense to not get involved in the western world when there are similar issues happening closer to home. Even with the aspect of Hungarian descent, the administration’s decision would be more justifiable if the had extended the offer to other countries with migrant issues. Venezuela would still receive the aid, since Hungarians migrated to Venezuela in waves during the first World War. Meanwhile, it’s unlikely that a many Syrians descend from Hungary, if any at all. This policy would make more sense to the average person, while Hungary can help the migrant crisis that they prioritize first for whatever reason.
Despite the termination of many migrant integration programs over the last 4 years, Venezuelans who are currently receiving asylum have been thriving. After being flown to Hungary on the government’s dollar, they receive living necessities as well as language classes. Within a year, most Venezuelan children are fluent in Hungarian, and can integrate into public schools with minimal issue. While the EU has helped contribute to the cause, Hungary can’t maintain the migrant population forever, and eventually they will have to return to Venezuela, which may or may not pose issues for them. Acting President Juan Guaido and the aid he receives from many other countries in the Americas still have to get rid of Nicolas Maduro, the former president who still controls the Venezuelan army. While it’s certain that Maduro will be overthrown soon, Guaido will have a ways to go before he can restore society and make a more liveable country for returning migrants. Whether he can do it in enough time will affect the outcome of their return.