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France. Immigration Minister Eric Besson ordered the so-called "jungle" that housed Iraqis and Afghanis seeking entry to the UK near the entrance to the Euro-Tunnel to be cleared in September 2009. The migrants try to climb aboard trucks headed to the UK, 22 miles from Calais.

The French government blames generous British benefits for the effort to sneak aboard trucks bound for the UK. In 2002, under pressure from Britain, the French government closed a Red Cross Centre at Sangatte near Calais that housed foreigners seeking to get into Britain.

In October 2009, Britain and France co-financed a plan to provide Afghanis willing to return with E2,000 each and retraining in Afghanistan. Those advocating paid voluntary returns say that migrants are tricked by smugglers who tell migrants they will be welcomed with open arms in Europe.

There were about 2,000 unauthorized foreigners, sans-papiers, in Paris's rue Baudelique in October 2009 whose presence was known in authorities. The migrants, whose cases are considered individually, want the government to give them papers, immigrant visas, and the fact that several receive papers every day attracts newcomers. Most find jobs in day labor markets that offer less than the E8.82 ($13) an hour minimum wage.

The French government estimates there are about 400,000 unauthorized foreigners in the country, and the government plans to expel 27,000 in 2009.

Germany. Germans on September 27, 2009 elected a more conservative coalition government, returning Chancellor Angela Merkel to power with the pro-business Free Democrats as coalition partner. The union-linked Social Democrats received less than a quarter of the votes cast, the lowest share of the vote since World War II.

Over 15 million Germans have a migratory background, meaning that 18 percent of the 82 million residents were born abroad or have at least one foreign-born parent. A seventh of those with migration backgrounds have a Turkish heritage; 55 percent of Turks voted for the SPD, followed by 23 percent for the Green party.

Germany has a lower unemployment rate than the US. One reason is that 1.4 million German workers were on short-time (Kurzarbeit) in summer 2009, a program that pays up to 80 percent of previous earnings to workers who work fewer hours or improve their skills as they seek new jobs. Most short-time workers stay with their current employer, but up to a third lose their jobs and become "employees" of companies such as MyPegasus, essentially an employment and training agency that helps workers improve their skills and find new jobs.

Belgium. The Belgian government offered a legalization between September and December 2009 to unauthorized foreigners living in the country at least five years, or working at least 2.5 years, and who are "well integrated" into the country, as evidenced by knowledge of French or Flemish and having children in school. The government says that up to 25,000 migrants may apply.

In 2000, about 50,000 foreigners were legalized in Belgium.

Scott Sayare, "In Paris Without Papers, and Seeking Visibility," New York Times, October 11, 2009.