13 more migrants move to the US
During the past week, 13 refugees from Eritrea, Sudan, Somalia and Ethiopia left Malta to begin a new life in the United States.
Since the U.S. Embassy began its permanent refugee resettlement program in May 2008, 600 refugees have been resettled to the United States.
The latest group of refugees will be resettled in several different cities across the U.S.
Ambassador Douglas Kmiec hosted a reception at his residence to welcome the refugees to their new lives in America. Ambassador Kmiec remarked, "The Refugee Resettlement programme represents a small contribution by the people of the United States to help alleviate the world's suffering. This programme is a success thanks to the collaboration of the Malta Government and the hard work of the staff at the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the International Organization for Migration and the people of the United States of America. It is hard to imagine a responsible program dealing with migrants without UNHCR, IOM and dedicated non-governmental organizations like the Jesuit Refugee Service and the Emigrants Commission."
Once they arrive in the U.S., each refugee will be assigned a sponsor agency that provides initial services such as housing, food, and 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.
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Alex Buds
Feb 16th 2011, 21:50
So the USA, which does not have the same responsibility towards Malta as the EU does (seeing that Malta is an EU member state), took 600! - how many did the EU take in comparison?
God bless the United States of America.
R.Borg
Feb 16th 2011, 17:49
Thank you, US. Thank you, Mr. Ambassador. Do not take notice of the local prophets of doom and gloom. They are never happy. They form a part of the MALTESE GERGER and just do nothing socially profitable.
Joseph Calleja
Feb 16th 2011, 15:16
It seems that the USA is doing more for these illegal immigrants than the other 27 EU States put together. On the other hand I understand that the other EU States have their own problems to worry about. So why don't these 27 EU states get together and figure out how to stop illegal immigration out of Africa? It seems like these illegal immigrants are taking over all of Europe and there is nothing anybody can do, thanks especially to the bleeding hearts and sympathizers. These people are causing havoc all over Europe and must be stopped. My suggestion is to stop this emigration before it starts and put the human traffickers out of business. Why not spend the money and the effort to educate these people in their own country, yes it would be wise for all of Europe to invest in African countries and put these people to work in their own country. Some powers in Europe ravaged their land and left nothing much behind. People are fighting for survival, a good example is Tunisia, Egypt and pretty soon other countries. Seems like the whole world is in turmoil.
Jesmond Micallef
Feb 16th 2011, 16:18
Read the world news section, there have been reported demonstrations in Libya since yesterday, too !!
Louise Vella
Feb 16th 2011, 15:05
The good news is that we have 13 fewer. The bad news is that we still have thousands roaming the streets of our towns and villages. A further bit of bad news is that these transfers make Malta more attractive to illegal immigrants as a stepping stone to the bigger and richer countries.
Jesmond Micallef
Feb 16th 2011, 16:32
As is allways the case with your typical comments, Louise Vella !! Why not give these people your best wishes, for once !!
j gatt
Feb 16th 2011, 23:04
@Jesmond Micallef,
Whilst wishing them luck, some will need it badly too. I have met a few in the USA, working as taxi drivers, once the honeymonn is over and reality kicks in, most wish that it was possible to go back to their countries, but it is economically not possible for them to do so.
I tend to agree with what Louise wrote, initially Malta seems an attractive stepping stone for them.
So it may be a vicious circle
Jesmond Micallef
Feb 16th 2011, 14:35
I wish these people the very best of success in thier new lifes in the USA. When I was in Malta for Christmas, this previous December, I accidentally met a person from the African continent while at an internet cafe in Valletta. He had told me that he was chosen to go there, so I wished him all the best. Thank you to the people of the United States of America.
Charles Flores
Feb 16th 2011, 14:13
I am no US politics sympathizer, but the Americans have shown what real solidarity is all about. They have also shown respect for and an appreciation of Malta's illegal immigrant problems. A lot more than the European Union has had the decency to offer to a member state.
c spiteri
Feb 16th 2011, 13:16
ONLY 13?
Jesmond Micallef
Feb 16th 2011, 16:22
Maybe you should keep more up to date with regards to how many migrant people the USA has taken from Malta, altogether !!