Migrants prepare for resettlement in the US
A group of 15 Somali refugees leave Malta tomorrow to start a new life in the United States.
They form part of a resettlement programme which, US Ambassador Molly Bordonaro said, will see hundreds of recognised refugees in Malta resettled in the United States.
The United Nations High Commission for Refugees has so far referred more than 260 people who are in the process of being settled in the US. Some will leave Malta in the next few weeks.
Ambassador Bordonaro, who this morning had a meeting with Foreign Minister Tonio Borg, said this showed the commitment of the United States to help Malta ease the problems of migration .
"It also demonstrates our recognition of the enormous challenges and dangers that many of the migrants have faced."
She said that all refugees are assigned a sponsor agency that provides initial services such as housing, food, clothing as well as referral to medical care, employment services and other support during a transition period lasting up to two years in order to ensure integration and assimilation.
"I have personally met many of the refugees who are part of the programme, and they will make outstanding US citizens," the ambassador said.
Dr Borg thanked the United States saying the resettlement programme was a demonstration of support which Malta was seeking to ease to ease the burden posed by the influx of migrants. He said he did not think such resettlement programmes would encourage more migrants to come to Malta, given the requirements needed for the migrants to qualify for resettlement.
Picture: In and out: A group of 53 migrants arrived in Malta yesterday.
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Gianluca Barbieri
May 1st 2008, 00:42
@M.Tabone.. The other member states of the EU have the same problem like us. Although they don't get illegal immigrants by sea, they get them through human trafficking. America on the other hand does not get immigrants from Africa cause Africans find Europe much closer (logically). We currently have 8000 immigrants residing in Malta. 260 is nothing trust me for the capacity of America. They are taking 260 not to help but only to keep good relations between the two countries. Trust me out of the all the member states of the EU.
Its useless resettling them in other places cause they keep coming. The problem is rather more complicated than that i'm afraid.
Frank Camilleri
Apr 30th 2008, 17:49
Thanks America. Thanks to Dr Tonio Borg and Dr Simon Busuttil who are doing their utmost to solve this problem once and for all. We are all now fed up of these unwanted guests. Our country cannot support them.
Most of us already feel second class citizens in out own country. Illegal immigration is a passive invasion and must be treated seriously.
It is shameful for sections of the Maltese community to play on other people’s emotions re these illegal immigrants plights some of which may be true while others are doubtful indeed. Leaving one's wife and children 'for a better life' is selfishness to the highest degree.
Another point, which might seem superfluous is the fact that some prefer to refer these immigrants as ‘irregular’ rather than ’illegal’ immigrants.
Entering any country without the necessary documents is illegal. While I am certainly against Spring hunting, are we to refer to a to Spring hunting as 'irregular' rather than 'illegal' with the obvious implications?
On the other hand, it is the duty of the Western World to contribute towards the well-being of these immigrants in their own country. This will decrease completely the need to escape from these poor countries and increase social justice. I think that only the rich are able to escape these countries. Even the poor in these countries have a right to a decent life.
The richer immigrants who are able to escape facing so many dangers should remain in their own countries striving to bring about the necessary change towards democracy and the well being of their own country rather than escaping leaving the poor and the defenceless behind.
As Maltese citizens who really care about our country and our children, we must unite and support all initiatives leading towards the solution of this passive invasion of our own land, culture and future. Illegal immigration must be stopped, always within the parameters of the legal framework. Being aware and accepting the bizarre consequences of illegal immigration is not being racist but rather being practical and rational.
H Farrugia
Apr 30th 2008, 14:12
Dear mr Anthony A Mifsud, Berlusconi already has his boatloads coming in like the rains. He has had enough of them and now I am looking forward for his government to return all these illegal immigrants to their country of origin. So Mr Mifsud instead of pulling Mr Berlusconi in this matter, you had better tell your friends in Europe, those Nordic friends of yours, to put their money where their mouth is. And help both Malta and Italy to offload unwanted guests, who are eating away our hard earned taxes.
Anthony A. Mifsud
Apr 30th 2008, 11:21
Well done Dr. Borg. Now its high time that you should seek help from Mr. Berlusconi.
let's see how many will they take.
Great work.
Tony
M. Tabone
Apr 30th 2008, 09:54
The US understands and concretely helps Malta........on the other hand the EU help consists of either an impeccable silence during relevant meetings, lambasts us with critics to host more clandestines or gives us some money (carrots) to keep the authorities mouth closed.......typical European solidarity!!!!