Europe’s Headache: Illegal Immigration

Mixed Opinions –

Interior ministers from Germany, the U.K., Italy, and Spain held a meeting in Florence, Italy from October 17-18 to come up with measures for dealing with immigrants and terror threats.

Germany and Italy suggested setting up immigration camps. Supported also by the U.K., the suggestion calls for establishing immigration camps in northern Africa in order to sort out refugees and illegal immigrants there for entrance into Europe. This measure, the three nations believe, would significantly reduce the number of those who attempt to enter Europe secretly or illegally at the risk of their own lives.

However, France and Spain have objected to the idea, arguing that it would be a violation of human rights. “We are against any kind of camps and walls,” French Interior Minister Dominique de Villepin stressed.

Illegal Immigration or Refugees?-

Many of these illegal immigrants are refugees who escaped wars and poverty in Cote d`Ivoire, Guinea and other strife-torn countries. They usually enter Europe via North African countries such as Tunisia and Libya. Among boat people heading for Europe via the Mediterranean Ocean are refugees from Palestine, Iraq and Bangladesh.

Italy Says No, Spain Says Welcome –

Due to their geographical proximity to Africa, Italy and Spain have always been major gateways for illegal immigrants attempting to enter Europe. More than half of all immigrants make their first steps in Europe through Italy and Spain. But the two nations’ reactions to immigrants are quite opposite.

Lampedusa island of Italy located near Tunisia and Libya is always flooded with boat people. The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) estimates about 10,000 illegal immigrants have arrived on the island from January to October this year. As they pose a serious threat to the livelihood of the island’s inhabitants, who are entirely dependent on tourism, the Italian government has stepped in to deport illegal immigrants starting this month.

On the other hand, Spain is in a different position and situation, and it will soon give permits to 10,000 illegal immigrants. “A new bill to permit labor approval of illegal immigrants who can prove they are working will be presented this month. For the past 10 years, illegal immigrants have provided a low-waged workforce, re-vitalizing the aging society of Spain,” the British magazine, the Financial Times, explained. To put it another way, illegal immigrants can be helpful as consumers in an economy.

Sung-Won Joo swon@donga.com