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The European Migration Development Report （2021） is the research result of the International Center for Migration Studies （jointly established by Guangdong University of Foreign Studies and Guangdong Institute of Ethnic and Religious Studies） and the European Migration Crisis Management Research Team of Guangdong University of Foreign Studies，which continuously focuses on the refugee crisis and Migration development in Europe. In addition to researchers from Guangdong University of Foreign Studies and other universities in China，experts from European universities are also invited to participate in the writing of this book. Multidisciplinary perspectives，including politics，economics，sociology and Western language and culture，are applied in this book.

The COVID-19 has had a serious impact on the economic and social development of European countries，with a significant impact on international migration flows and migrant communities in 2020. In response to the outbreak，countries across Europe have intermittently closed their borders by land，sea and air，significantly reducing the flow of immigrants. The number of first-time asylum applications dropped by 33.95% compared with 2019，with France，Germany and Greece in particular showing significant reductions. The number of immigrants who received long-term residence visas declined by about 20% compared to 2019，with economic immigrants being particularly affected. There are fewer seasonal migrants and thus shortages of workers in countries including Germany，France，Spain and Poland；In addition，irregular migration is widespread in all countries，and the number of people who leave and return on request is far lower than the number of people who sign the request of immigration law enforcement authorities.

The theme of this year’s European Migration Development Report is COVID-19 and immigration management. It includes one general report，ten country and regional studies，five specialist reports and a chronicle of immigration in Europe. The general report focuses on the analysis of the development trend of immigration in Europe in 2020 and the strategies and effects of immigration management policies of various EU countries. According to the study，affected by the epidemic，the mobility of immigrants in European countries decreased，including refugees，long-term migrants，seasonal workers and irregular migrants. In terms of immigration management，European countries adopt a combination of “push”，“block”，“pull” and “melt” immigration management strategies，including strengthening border control，promoting the return of refugees and preventing illegal immigrants from entering；Providing foreign aid and investment to reduce the incentive for people in their countries of origin to emigrate；Reforming immigration system to attract foreign talent and needed workers；Provide social security and promote immigrant integration. On the one hand，these measures have alleviated the political，economic and social impacts brought by migration flows under the epidemic；on the other hand，they are faced with more intractable issues such as humanitarian crisis，lack of government financial funds and difficulties in integrating immigrants and refugees. Therefore，the tightening of immigration policies has become the converging choice of political parties of various countries.

Focusing on Italy，Spain，Greece，France，Switzerland，Austria，Germany，Poland，the United Kingdom and Sweden，the country and region studies present the latest status of migration development and management in these countries in 2020，with a focus on the impact of the epidemic on migration flows and integration. National data and analysis show that migration mobility is significantly reduced in countries affected by epidemic control. Among them，the number of refugees entering Italy and Spain is significantly lower，but the irregular entry and retention of migrants highlighted. In Greece，the number of refugees has dwindled，but resettlement has been difficult. In France，Switzerland and Austria，the impact of the epidemic has increased the difficulties of migrants in maintaining their income and accessing health services，and there has been an increase in mainstream discrimination and exclusion of migrants. In Germany and Poland，major immigrant groups，such as Syrians in Germany and Ukrainians in Poland，are clearly feeling the impact of the epidemic on mobility and employment，and the changes in migration have political，economic and social implications for their countries. In the UK and the Nordic countries，the epidemic control policies are mainly reflected in immigration flow，and the number of long-term immigrants has decreased significantly. In the future economic recovery，more attention should be paid to the contribution of immigrant labor.

The specialist reports examine the impact of the change in migration status on the politics，economy and society of Europe. In September 2020，the European Commission issued the “New Pact on Migrants and Refugees”. On the one hand，it emphasized the legal system of immigration management，put asylum applications in front of the review process，and strengthened the repatriation of irregular immigrants. On the other hand，it called on EU countries to unite，reduce the management pressure of the first countries of entry，and jointly solve the immigration problem. On the economic level，the unemployment rate of immigrants is generally higher than that of native residents，and the working environment is also changing. Seasonal migrant workers are in short supply and risk factors at work are rising. On the social level，poor living conditions，job instability and unfamiliarity with the health care system increase the health risks of migrants. While controlling the flow of immigrants，EU countries，such as Germany，are also more selective about immigrants，preferring highly skilled immigrants. For the UK after Brexit，the epidemic has worsened the business environment and increased the demand for highly skilled immigrants as well. Together，these situations show the vulnerability of immigrants under the epidemic，and it is still a common difficulty for European countries to improve immigration management and promote the integration of immigrants after the epidemic.