I believe that if we don't offer legal ways of emigrating to Europe and immigrating within Europe, we will be lost. If those who come - who are, generally speaking, the poor and needy - are no longer able to enter the house of Europe through the front door, they'll keep making their way in through the back windows.

In this quote, Jean-Claude Juncker addresses the urgent issue of migration into Europe, emphasizing the importance of providing legal pathways for individuals seeking to emigrate to Europe or immigrate within its borders. He warns that without accessible, lawful channels for migration, individuals, particularly those who are poor and needy, will continue to seek entry into Europe through illegal means, metaphorically entering "through the back windows." Juncker's statement highlights the risks of pushing migration underground, where it becomes harder to manage and more dangerous for those involved.

Juncker underscores the moral and practical necessity of offering legal routes for migration, asserting that failing to do so leads to the emergence of illegal immigration. This, in turn, puts both migrants and European societies at risk, as unregulated migration often results in security issues, exploitation, and humanitarian crises. By using the metaphor of entering through "the back windows," Juncker conveys the idea that when migrants are denied formal, lawful access, they resort to risky and often hidden means of entry.

The origin of this quote lies in Juncker’s role as President of the European Commission, where he was deeply involved in shaping European Union (EU) policies on migration and asylum. As a leader within the EU, Juncker was an advocate for a more open, structured approach to migration, calling for cooperation among member states to develop comprehensive solutions to manage migration flows, reduce irregular migration, and address the root causes of displacement.

Ultimately, Juncker’s quote calls for humanitarian and legal reforms to the migration system in Europe. It reflects his belief that a proactive approach to migration—one that offers migrants legal, regulated ways to enter and stay in Europe—would create a safer and more sustainable solution for both the migrants and the host countries, while also addressing the underlying factors driving people to migrate in the first place.