IntroductionThis article will attempt to define the current ethical and moral dilemmas posed by European immigration, to examine the historical factors which have led to the current situation and to conclude whether European states have an ethical obligation to open their borders to migrants. In the first section of my essay, I provide a brief historical overview of European colonialism in order to define the factors that contributed to the formation of the current political landscape. Additionally, I address key issues of migration in Europe and compare various ethical arguments and theories. By adopting a non-state-centric egalitarian approach, I will defend the moral obligation to keep borders open to immigrants. The Consequences of European Colonialism Colonialism is defined as the expansion of a nation's sovereignty over the territory of other nations. The colonies are dominated by the establishment of administrative, financial and economic dependence and by the imposition of socio-cultural structures on the indigenous population. European colonialism began in the Age of Discovery, in the 15th century, with European maritime powers exploring Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Oceania in search of alternative trade routes. Both Spain and Portugal discovered and conquered new lands, building colonies by massacring or enslaving the indigenous population. By the 17th century, England, France and the Netherlands had also established their colonial empires. This overseas expansion had given rise to the Columbian Exchange, the transportation of products, goods and people (including slaves) between the "old" and the "new world". These trade routes, along with new territories and labor contributed greatly...... middle of article...... and Hammar, T. (1999) Mechanisms of control of immigration: a comparative analysis of European political regulations. Berg 3PL• Düvell, F. (2006) Illegal immigration in Europe: out of control? Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan• Geddes, A. (2000) Immigration and European integration: towards a Fortress Europe? Manchester University Press• Hopkinson, N. (1992) Migration to Western Europe. London: HMSO• Ireland, PR (2004) Becoming Europe: immigration, integration and the welfare state. University of Bittsburgh Press• Kerr, WR and Kerr, SP (2011) Economic impacts of immigration: a survey. Harvard Business School• Koopmans, R. (2005) Contested citizenship: immigration and cultural diversity in Europe. University of Minnesota Press • Vink, MP (2005) Limits of European citizenship: European integration and national immigration. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan