Herbert Messina-Ferrante, Attard
Government must act on immigration (2)
A hot issue prevailing at the moment and gaining momentum is undoubtedly that of immigration.
The sight of an influx of hundreds of illegal immigrants dismays the majority of the Maltese people. I quote from a report by Migration Watch UK, which may serve as an eye-opener to the authorities of the enormity of the situation which we might be facing in the near future. A study based on data from the UK government's Office of National Statistics showed that nationally almost 20 per cent of babies are born to immigrants in inner London and the percentage rises to 30 per cent to 55 per cent in other areas.
According to the ONS, of a six million increase in national population predicted for the next 25 years, five million will be immigrants and their children. This represents an extraordinary change in the make-up of the British people.
I shudder to think if this were to happen in Malta: Though I won't be around, my children and my children's children will!
Unless something drastically effective is done to stem the flow, which seems to get worse and worse judging by the numbers which arrived during the first two winter months of this year, the end result might well be an irrevocable shift in the character of the country, which I am sure is contrary to the wishes of the majority of the Maltese people.
The implications for the housing policy as well as our national culture will be enormous!
Let us not commit the mistake to make it politically disreputable to attack the issue of immigration which has become a monster among us, by not debating it as we should and feel scared to speak its name, just because of a few individuals who wear a habit!
Those who demand curbs on immigrants are often denounced as "racists".
This is stupid, indeed pernicious. The Maltese people inhabit one of the most overcrowded spaces in Europe, so it is reasonable to question whether we should welcome more people which are a burden to the country. We may welcome a tolerable number of newcomers of different races who want to share our lives but are rightly suspicious were those numbers to become so great as to put our own national identity in danger.
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Raymond Sammut
Feb 27th 2009, 15:07
@ Herbert Messina-Ferrante I don't demand curbs on immigrants. I demand that they be removed from my homeland because I give no recognition whatsoever to UNHCR, the immigrants you are referring to are illegally on Malta, and all these illegal immigrants have their own homeland or a safe country in Africa to go to. These illegal immigrants, in my opinion, have no business or right whatsoever in being and staying in my homeland. The Maltese government has the obligation to remove these illegal immigrants, and the UN have the obligation to assist the Maltese government in the due process of removal.
David Seychell
Feb 27th 2009, 13:33
@Kenneth Cassar "Who is it that calls racists those who demand curbs on immigration?" Kenneth, 10 days ago you said: "...some of the comments clearly are racist..." even though, none of the comments in question were racist. If you really think that some of those comments are racist, please explain which and why. http://www.timesofmalta.com/blogs/view/20090212/fr-joe-borg/shipwrecked-the-irony-of-two-incidents
John Azzopardi
Feb 27th 2009, 12:01
It is about time that the maltese are starting to see illegal immigration as a big problem in their vast majority. It's time that the politicians start hearing the people's concerns (as some have been doing lately). We maltese and gozitans cannot stand by and allow our identity to be overrun by illegal immigrants who are here to stay due to the welfare benefits given to them for free. Pity Malta and Gozo if nothing is done fast. Stop hoping that other EU countries will take any of these people. Those large EU countries have enough problems in their home countries and we are seen as a bunch of cry babies knocking on their doors. Time to implement a sound policy on illegal immigration and stop a few people dictating to the majority what is right or not. Democracy doesn't work that way. Let's stop this madness before it is too late. Majta is just 122 sq miles with a population of 420,000. If it weren't for the maltese emigrants who left in their thousands in 1950's, 60's and 70's, the Maltese will be more overcrowded. Now, we have this issue hanging over our heads with no end in sight.
Rachel Galea
Feb 27th 2009, 11:28
I agree that this is becoming a hot topic. Unfortunately for usm some big European Countries within the union are behaving like spoilt kids. They have had their fill of the Africian colonies they once occupied and now do not want to bear the consequences of their actions.
How many of us tell our children not to do this or that, or ask them to help and are ignored, it feels like we are talking to a wall. That is exactly what is happening at the moment. Malta is making all the political pressure it can but is coming up against a brick wall.
I think it is about time that a united Maltese population politely start making their voices heard, not locally but within the Union, to maybe put some pressure on the powers that be to wake up to their responsibilities. I say united, as this is not a partisan issue but one that effects all the population, so we have to work together on this matter starting from the highest echelons of our society (i.e. the government and opposition).
Let us for once forget our differences and work together for the good of our nation.
Kenneth Cassar
Feb 27th 2009, 10:22
"Let us not commit the mistake to make it politically disreputable to attack the issue of immigration".
We should not "attack" the issue of immigration. That would be politically and morally disreputable. To debate calmly and reasonably is another matter.
"Those who demand curbs on immigrants are often denounced as "racists"".
Who is it that calls racists those who demand curbs on immigration? As far as I know, the few who are called racists would be those who demand that we send all black immigrants back, irrespective of numbers, merit or safety.