Weaponized Mass Migration: A Security Risk to Europe and the United States

The House Foreign Affairs Committee Republicans held a hearing on February 11, 2026, focusing on the security risks posed by weaponized mass migration to Europe and the United States. The discussion centered on how adversaries, particularly Russia and Belarus, have deliberately manipulated migration flows as a hybrid warfare tactic to destabilize NATO allies, erode public confidence, and strain military readiness. Witnesses highlighted the significant financial and societal costs borne by affected countries, such as Poland, and emphasized the need for coordinated transatlantic responses including technical assistance for border security, sanctions against facilitating entities, and improved migration management frameworks. The hearing also addressed the challenges of balancing humanitarian treatment of migrants with national sovereignty and security, the impact of migration on political stability and elections, and the importance of supporting allies in building resilience against such hybrid threats.