Saturday, 25th October 2008
Fewer migrants repatriated
A growing number of immigrants are not being sent back to their home country even though they do not qualify for refugee status or humanitarian protection.
In six years, the number of "illegals" who were not repatriated has reached 2,123, a substantial chunk of the 11,273 asylum seekers to reach Malta during that time.
In the same period, 5,192 were deported but each year the figure has fallen because an increasing number of illegal immigrants are now coming from countries such as Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast and Liberia, to where repatriation is more difficult.
Until a few years ago Malta used to receive a high number of Egyptians who could easily be sent back home because the country is well represented diplomatically. But as the trend shifted, the number of repatriated immigrants dwindled to a mere 181 between January and August this year.
The Ministry of Justice and Home Affairs insists repatriation is a priority, even though it is proving difficult. It is also confident the recently-signed EU Immigration Pact will help by obliging member states to coordinate the repatriation process.
Immigrants who do not come from countries struck by war or poverty tend to lie about their origin in order to avoid being deported. On landing, immigrants are interviewed by the authorities and once their identity and nationality are verified repatriation can begin.
Since immigrants do not carry travel documents, Malta is dependent on the authorities of their home countries to sort out the paperwork. The problem is that many countries do not have embassies or consulates in Malta and are, therefore, not represented diplomatically. When embassies or consulates cooperate with the Maltese authorities and send officials to issue the required travel documents, the failed asylum seekers often refuse to collaborate with the diplomats. There have also been cases where countries simply refuse to take back their countrymen.
Since January 2002, Malta has received 7,851 applications for refugee and humanitarian status. Of these, 3,241 were rejected, 204 were granted refugee status and 3,761 humanitarian protection. The rest of the applications were either withdrawn or are still in process.
From those who were granted protection, 257 were resettled in Europe or America.
The law ensures that after 18 months in detention those who do not receive protection and cannot be repatriated must be released.
Although a number may find their way to mainland Europe illegally, the rest remain in Malta, because they cannot be resettled in Europe or America.
At the moment, over 2,400 immigrants are in open centres and about 2,000 are in detention until their applications are processed.
Many illegal immigrants are stuck in Malta without the documents necessary to be returned to their countries or the chance to be resettled in bigger countries.
Others can choose to be repatriated through EU-sponsored voluntary return programmes that cater for a limited number.
The pilot project initiated by the Foreign Affairs Ministry, called Dar, is one scheme that helps immigrants integrate back into their home countries, start a business and create a better life for themselves. So far this project caters only for a maximum of 50 persons.
Since 2002
Refugee status: 204
Humanitarian protection: 3,761
Repatriated: 5,192
Rejected: 3,241
Resettled in EU: 84
Resettled in US: 173
Total arrivals: 11,273
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Comments
"This does not mean that we have a right to expect that any other country, should also have done the same. Let us drop the old mentality that the rest of the world should be indebited to us."
I DON'T expect any country to take our immigrants neither voluntary nor otherwise. With the EU, voluntary burden sharing didn't work in the past (only 84 taken till now), and it will not work in the future for the very simple reason that the EU doesn't want irregular immigrants. Infact the EU was crystal-clear with our government when stated: "Burden sharing is UNACCEPTABLE because public opinion in different member states WOULD NOT accept it; ask us ANYTHING but NOT THIS" I already explained why burden sharing, even if accepted by the EU would not be a solution. See here http://www.timesofmalta.com/blogs/view/20080925/andrew-borg-cardona/yes-indeed
If on the other hand you are interested to know about the solution I proposed, click here http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20081022/opinion/do-we-let-them-drown
There is no law anymore. The strongest dominate the weak, and we are the weak in our own home.
The USA has a programme for resetling migrants, and this was operational for the whole period in question. It should be praised for that.
This does not mean that we have a right to expect that any other country, should also have done the same. Let us drop the old mentality that the rest of the world should be indebited to us.
Now that we are members of the EU,and as ONE of its frontier state have particular responsibilities, we have a right to expect help, like burden-sharing.
@P Debono
"Why did you put the word "illegals" in inverted commas. That is just what these people are: ILLEGALS, i.e. LAW-BREAKERS, and it is incredibly obvious that the honest taxpayer wants them out of our country NOW."
I don't blame the author of this article, after all not many are willing to take the risk of being labeled racist, xenophobic and what not.
Resettled in US: 173
So the US which still has to deal with her own immigration problems helped Malta more than the EU did ... thanks a lot buddies ...
"the failed asylum seekers often refuse to collaborate with the diplomats. There have also been cases where countries simply refuse to take back their countrymen."
@Kenneth Cassar
"What we've seen up to know is mass granting of refugee and humanitarian status and allowing those who do not qualify for anything to remain in Malta". -L Galea
"Have you got any verifiable statistics to support this WILD claim?" -Kenneth Cassar
Kenneth let me answer the question you made to Mr Galea: "In six years, the number of "illegals" who were not repatriated has reached 2,123" Are you satisfied now with these "verifiable statistics" Kenneth?
Gonzi and Mifsud Bonnici have followed a policy of appeasing the pro-illegal immigrant lobby and the professional do-gooders. It's not good enough. It's not nearly good enough. This country's laws must be obeyed. The government must listen to the will of the vast majority of the people. Is it prepared to hold a public consultation on the matter?
The PM has the duty to ensure that clear, consistent and accurate data are made available to the general public. These have to consist of numbers related to each year since 2002, when the Commission for Refugees was established. They have to be broken down by important attributes such as method of entry by migrants, country of origin, nationalities, numbers in detention, numbers released into the community, and so on.
Considering that Mr Peregin’s figures are not annual figures, one cannot make informative inferences drawn from statistical quantities such as averages and trends.
For this reason, the public cannot make informed judgments on the effect the CfR has had on our small island nation, on the effectiveness of the Maltese authorities in dealing with immigration, and on whether concerns in regard to immigration are justified.
Dr Gonzi has failed in his duty to ensure that the public are duly informed on this very disconcerting issue.
This will make the pro-'illegal immigrants' very happy.
"Since immigrants do not carry travel documents, Malta is dependent on the authorities of their home countries to sort out the paperwork."
In other words Malta is only good at bringing in illegal immigrants without any form of identification but is not good at all when it comes to repatriating them without documents. The result? "Many illegal immigrants are stuck in Malta without the documents"
Those granted humanitarian protection or refugee status are 3,761 + 204
= 3,965. 3965 less those resettled (257) = 3,708. 3,708 less those in the open centres = (3,708-2400)=1308. Where are these remaining 1,308 that were granted humanitarian or refugee protection?
"A growing number of immigrants are not being sent back to their home country even though they do not qualify for refugee status or humanitarian protection."
Once again, statistics confirming the growing problem of illegal immigrants in Malta. A few days ago we read the incredible statistic, released by the Emigrants Commission, that illegal immigrants arrivals exceeded local birth rate. This has not taken place anywhere else in the world!
Yet, we still read letters and comments of people who still close both eyes to this reality, but are keen to falsely accuse concerned citizens as racist and xenophobic.
Maybe they are sure that Frontex and the burden-sharing pact will save Malta. Maybe they believe that illegal migration will not effect us by no means, but only the other EU members like England, Italy, Germany and Spain. Maybe they are right......
It won't be long; we'll wait and see.
Countries which refuse their countrymen should be reported to the EU, and necessary measures taken against.
No major party has so far spoken or is determined to act in this direction.
“Immigrants who do not come from countries struck by war or poverty tend to lie about their origin”.
“When embassies or consulates cooperate with the Maltese authorities … the failed asylum seekers often refuse to collaborate with the diplomats”.
“There have also been cases where countries simply refuse to take back their countrymen”.
It seems that only the Maltese government is keen to abide by Malta’s so-called obligations (while forgetting Malta’s rights). No wonder we are being taken for a ride by everybody.
Keep up your good work (sic)
Now he told us he will have the power to move people thanks to the EU immigration pact.
Let us all wait and see
Or do we have to wait for the European Parliament elections to make our voice heard? It's clear to all that Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici is not up to the task of protecting the Maltese taxpayer. Gonzi made a huge mistake in appointing him to control this national crisis as opposed to someone with a track record of getting things done, such as Austin Gatt. The upcoming elections will prove me right...
There is only one obvious way out of the problem, that is, to prevent illegal immigrants from coming to Malta. It's not difficult, but it takes guts.
This article does shed some light for those who thought that the repatriations were as easy as ABC...