Hegseth criticizes European migration policy in D-Day speech
8 reported
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth criticized European nations over migration during a D-Day anniversary speech in France, describing what he called an “invasion” on their shores. Speaking in Normandy 82 years after allied forces landed in 1944, Hegseth said different European beaches are now “stormed by different dangerous ideologies” and questioned when European capitals will act. His comments follow similar criticism from US Vice-President JD Vance and President Donald Trump. In response, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Trump’s remarks were “not right” but acknowledged the challenge of tackling illegal migration. The article reports that sea arrivals to mainland Europe peaked in 2015, with 169,341 combined arrivals to the UK, Greece, Italy, Spain and Cyprus between April 2025 and March 2026. Crossings to the UK accounted for about 23% of that total.
What’s reported
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth criticized European nations over migration in a D-Day anniversary speech in France.
Hegseth described the situation as an “invasion” on European beaches, naming Spain, Italy, Greece and Bulgaria.
The article states migration has become a major political issue across Europe, with hardline immigration parties surging in polls.
US Vice-President JD Vance blamed the death of British student Henry Nowak on the “mass invasion of migrants,” though the Crown Prosecution Service confirmed the attacker, Vickrum Digwa, was born British.
US President Donald Trump previously told the UN that European countries were “going to hell” due to “uncontrolled migration.”
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Trump’s remarks were “not right” but accepted the challenge of tackling illegal migration.
Between April 2025 and March 2026, there were 169,341 sea arrivals to the UK, Greece, Italy, Spain and Cyprus; UK crossings were about 23% of the total.
Between January 1 and June 3, 2026, 9,142 people crossed the English Channel by small boat to the UK, down 38% from the same period the previous year.
Key figures
Pete Hegseth, US Defence Secretary
JD Vance, US Vice-President
Donald Trump, US President
Keir Starmer, UK Prime Minister
Henry Nowak, British student (deceased)
Vickrum Digwa, attacker (born British, per Crown Prosecution Service)
Sources: BBC News
