Hungary & Texas: A Comparative Perspective

On the surface, the European nation of Hungary and the U.S. state of Texas couldn’t be more different. However, both jurisdictions have confronted migration crises as waves of migrants arrived at their borders, straining local resources, causing public security concerns and disquieting local populations. Both Hungary and Texas have responded to migration crises with their own policies to take control of their borders and attempt to establish criteria for who gains entry to their jurisdictions, even if those entering – legally or otherwise – intend to only transit the country or U.S. state on their way to other parts of the European Union, in the case of Hungary, or the United States, in the case of Texas.

Hungary and Texas confront their own overarching authorities– the European Union and United States government – that have failed to fulfill their duties to secure their borders or have been actively promoting pro-illegal immigration policies. Both jurisdictions also face the frustration of being on the frontlines of migration crises, but not receiving the support of the European Union or U.S. federal government.

The actions of Hungary and Texas to secure their borders have brought consequences in the forms of fines and legal action, but neither has backed down. This research paper explores the struggles of Hungary and Texas to secure their borders, confront the European Union and U.S. federal government respectively and ultimately force change on a thorny issue which threatens only to become even more contentious in the coming years.