Europe needs to "get a handle" on immigration or risk the rise of more right-wing populists, former Democrat presidential candidate Hillary Clinton has warned.
Since the 2015 migration crisis over a million people have arrived in Europe, contributing to the Brexit vote, anti-immigration election wins and Donald Trump.
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"I think Europe needs to get a handle on migration because that is what lit the flame," Ms Clinton told The Guardian.
"I admire the very generous and compassionate approaches that were taken particularly by leaders like Angela Merkel, but I think it is fair to say Europe has done its part, and must send a very clear message - 'we are not going to be able to continue provide refuge and support' - because if we don't deal with the migration issue it will continue to roil the body politic."
Ms Clinton also accused Mr Trump of using fear-mongering rhetoric to whip up support for his anti-immigration policies.
"The use of immigrants as a political device and as a symbol of government gone wrong, of attacks on one's heritage, one's identity, one's national unity has been very much exploited by the current administration here," she told The Guardian.
While far-right leaders welcome her message, Ms Clinton's comments have come under fire from left-wing activists.
Northumbria University history professor Tanja Bueltmann told The New York Times Ms Clinton's opinions are "tragically misjudged."
"Ultimately, immigration is not actually the problem that inflamed voters: Much more foundational issues, such as austerity, are the real reason," she says.
"Immigrants and refugees are simply the scapegoats populists have chosen to use to drive forward their ideas."
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