Since the late 1990s, there have been efforts by the European Union to create common policies in order to regulate migration and to provide effective external border surveillance. However, every year more people try to reach European soil for a number of reasons, such as fleeing armed conflicts, human rights abuses, starvation, and economic conditions. While some of them have the opportunity to use legal channels, the majority do not have this chance and must put their lives into danger to reach Europe.