Repatriation as a solution to immigration (1)

However much I would like to, I feel I cannot subscribe to Martin Scicluna's view (March 7) that we need to maintain a sense of perspective with regard to the pressing problem of illegal immigration. This problem is surely a new and unique threat to the political and social stability of the Maltese Islands worthy of the highest priority.

It is widely held that the government is not doing enough. Urgent action must be taken to enlist the help of international agencies, like Interpol, to hunt down the criminals and human traffickers who are benefiting from this trade, and to impose harsher penalties. This step is imperative.

Urgent action is also needed to repatriate all illegal immigrants immediately they arrive on our shores. Many are rightly looking for a better life but they do not want to come here, they were never invited to come here and they do not want to stay here. Meanwhile we provide accommodation, handouts and other benefits which we can ill-afford. Immediate repatriation is the solution. The need for political asylum is, more often than not, a flimsy excuse and should be fully investigated.

As the author states, "Malta belongs to the European Union". He should also consider that Malta belongs to the Maltese people. I accept that we do have treaty obligations but we also have rights. If the various international agencies cannot give us the assistance we need then we have to be prepared to take unilateral action to protect our heritage and our values. Our children and their children will not thank us if, in the foreseeable future, immigrants will form a strong minority with a loud voice and for social, cultural or religious reasons cause conflict and even divide our peaceful native Maltese community. We ignore this scenario at our peril.

As adviser to the government, the author should urge that this problem be tackled with the utmost urgency. Human traffickers must be stopped and illegal immigrants must be repatriated without delay whatever the cost to the taxpayer. I fear that it is already too late.