152 migrants leave for Germany
'I hope to revisit Malta as a tourist' - migrant
A group of 152 migrants left for Germany this morning in what Home Affairs Minister Carm Mifsud Bonnici described as 'solidarity in action'.
Most of the migrants, including several women and children, hailed from Somalia, Ethiopia and Eritrea. They arrived in Malta from Libya last March.
Some of them this morning thanked the Maltese people for having offered them shelter, with one of them exclaiming that he hoped to revisit the island as a tourist.
Dr Mifsud Bonnici, who was at the airport with the German Ambassador, urged the migrants to work hard and integrate in their new society. He also thanked Germany for taking the migrants, noting that Germany had already taken another 150 migrants from Malta.
This, he said, was solidarity in action. It also showed that Malta was not alone in tackling immigration.
He hoped that another 100 migrants would leave Malta for another country by the end of the year.
The German ambassador, Hubert Ziegler, urged the migrants to be good citizens. He thanked the German community in Malta for having helped them by donating warm winter clothing.
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28 Comments
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Ian Glazier
Nov 29th 2011, 22:52
Lucky Malta.I wish the uk had the same luck.
These people should be sent back amongst there own people and not
passed on to other eu countries where both lifestyles are alien to each other.
I cerainly would not want them as one of my neighbours
Joe Grech
Nov 29th 2011, 21:06
If memory serves me right Angela Merkel herself declared that multiculturalism has failed dismally.
If that is so then how can Germany continue accepting peoples of different cultures? There must be a reason somewhere....hopefully somebody will come out with an explanation.
Mind you Germany has done Malta a very good turn indeed in accepting to take these migrants who very probably all entered our islands illegally.
Malta has too many people (of whatever race, colour or culture) roaming our streets and living off the taxpayer! How many ''tourists'' overstay their sojourn with us and find themselves absorbed into our ever thriving black market economy?
Ask the Brits, Italians, Greeks, etc. what has happened to their own countries....WHY they sometimes settle down here....what they describe as happening back home is not only sad but unbelievable. Malta is slowly but surely heading in that same unpleasant direction!
Our political leaders simply do not want to put National Interests firs and foremost!
Mango Charlie
Nov 29th 2011, 16:09
This is well and good i actually work in Holland and in the news latley we see alot about the rise of their NAZI marches amongst some German hooligans and the young unemployed and shit stirers at large over there mainly against the Turks and other immigrants, i know i listen to the news in the low countries and know whats going on lately over there. Still i wish them well, mind you we got such morons in Malta as well, so its nothing new for these poor unfortunate people, because they are people same as everyone else on this planet, except some are more fortunate then others.
Mr Stephen Sammut
Nov 29th 2011, 14:22
Maybe one of them will have a football career and can help Stuttgart win something this year!
Adriano Spiteri
Nov 29th 2011, 12:51
Dear S.Zammit (reply to your comment below),
kindly note that the only difference between a refugee and an illegal immigrant is that one has been accepted by the Government whereas the other is not. The Government is NOT the People. In our case a government elected by 1500 extra votes.
I don't care what illegal immigrants go through to come here. They were uncalled for and their planned mission is indeed illegal.
In a democracy you should be allowed to be part of the minority (NGOs, JRS and the others) and keep trying to persuade us that we should pity them. If you fail, keep trying.
But we will not. They came here illegally and should be repatriated - back to their continent of origin NOT Europe.
"What have they ever done to your pocket?" - shows how detached you are.
John Bundy's "Affari Taghna" poll result to "Are you a racist?" - 82.6% say YES.
Now, do you think that the Maltese are racist or bored stiff?
Charles J. Buttigieg
Nov 29th 2011, 12:26
I am so happy for them,I pray that all the rest will follow them.
John Portelli
Nov 29th 2011, 12:21
And the invasion of our ancient homelands continues unabated
Wenzu Vella
Nov 29th 2011, 12:20
@ Charles J Buttigieg you are very mistaken. We the Maltese people stopped them not Winston Churchill. We manned the guns, if the Germans landed in Malta Winston would have done a Pontius Pilatus and washed his hands clean.
Charles J. Buttigieg
Nov 29th 2011, 12:58
Wenzu at first Winston was not totally aware of the still strategic value of Malta, hence the absence of an adequate military presence at the very beginning of the war. Later he was convinced that Malta was crucial for the N. Africa campaign and the invasion of Sicily and the unconditional surrender of the Italians.
Peter Seebohm
Nov 29th 2011, 12:20
A difference is:
Are they going to Germany as admitted immigrants - family reunion -
or are they still figured as asylum seekers?
btw. At Germany average asylum procedure needs up to 7 years, especially for those who have no chance to be accepted as asylants. Their advocates will fight them through all instances. In this time they can´t get any jobs, legal.
Mr. Buttigieg
no worries. IF they get a job at Germany they surely can´t afford holidays at Malta. Except they are really high qualified
S. Zammit
Nov 29th 2011, 12:16
Good luck dear friends and hope to see you in the near future. Not all Maltese are ignorant. You are always welcome!
John A. Gauci
Nov 29th 2011, 12:08
After these migrants leave for Germany --- anyone can inform us how many more migrants are still in Malta and what is their future.?
Charles Sammut
Nov 29th 2011, 18:10
about 2000+...their future is either here working illegally and being exploited...or they will move to other countries......
Joe Xuereb
Nov 29th 2011, 11:57
Legal or not, moving immigrants anywhere but back to their country of origin is pushing the problem around, resolving nothing (and certainly, not Malta's). Anybody thinking that people leaving Malta relieve's Malta's problem is short-sighted. The relief is only cosmetic. And this for the simple reason that Malta does not operate in isolation. And as for anyone foolish enough to think that Malta would fare better outside the EU, think again.
Of course I wish them well but it is only polite protocol. They are told to be good citizens (there are many Somalis and others here in UK who are anything but good citizens), and integrate. In Germany. Or wherever. Nature dictates that people are not particularly drawn to others who are too different (and this among people of the same breed, ie not all Maltese like all Maltese. There are preferences even within families, in case some haven't noticed. No, I think the real solution is for Somalia (and others) to stop being failed nations and thus, not force their own peoples to flee to pastures greener (which won't happen, not in Germany, not anywhere).
Pessimistic?! Maybe. But I have lived with this for fifty years and I like to think that I know what I am talking about.
It is easy for a departing immigrant to be told to be a go, be a good boy and integrate, and for him to mouth platitudes about wanting to return to Malta as a tourist (he is over the moon that he is leaving this tiny god-forsaken, yes, god-forsaken, island. Let us hope he earns enough money to squander on fanciful holidays. Better still, he could work to make Somalia - or wherever - a better place and be able to take his children back where they can be brought up according to Somalian traditions. And not in alien Germany - or wherever. Unless of course they become so numerous that Germany becomes Germalia and tiny Malta, Maltalia. And I am not joking.
Malta's fragile psyche has had a few knocks lately, what with exhausting referenda and a thousand and one other issues. And then they have the cheek to say that heart failure in Malta has shown no letup in spite of the smoking ban. I suggest that heart failure is due to stress (apart from smoking, undeniably).
joseph saliba
Nov 29th 2011, 12:32
Imagine all Maltese returning to their Island of origin!... Or did not I get you right? About immigrants they (or their offsprings) might one day return to contribute towards their countries development.
Mr mario aquilina
Nov 29th 2011, 23:25
Really Joe!
Have you seen the state your UK is in. Do you see the state of your capital city of London and the surrounding areas that have been divided into ghettos by people mainly from Africa, the Caribbean, India, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan. Do you see the Mosques that have cropped up everywhere, taking over the skyline, or haven't you noticed unless you're in a coma, towns like Watford, Slough and Birmingham just to mention a few, where you'll struggle to see a white man. Even the air that I used to breath have changed.
Walking along residentail street one cannot fail to notice the strong smell of curry and jerk chicken. In North London within five mile radius of Wembley every other shop is what some call Paki shops, curry, halal, Indian sweets, newsagents etc, etc. Someone went as far as writing, 'Paki Chewing Gum Sold Here' on an entrance to a newsagent . The reason Paki's are not good at football is, because they turn every corner into a shop. The trouble is that there is no corners left. They have taken every high street over. There is already a number of Black people shops and bars in Bugibba. It looks like we are heading towards what you've just read. Now, one cannot use the word Black refering to these people, but it is ok for them to refer to us as White.
Is this really what we need for Malta. No go areas like Marsa and Hal Far! In Uk I used to drive with my car locked on, in my travels, and I have started doing the same over here, now that I moved back to my roots.
Any country that make foreigners feeling at home is making a grave mistake. Every government motto should be, that you are welcome to come and live in our country but leave your ideas behind. The only rights that any foreigner will have is to live by the rules of the land that he/she has entered. If you want to practise your religion you can do so between your four walls. No public gathering allowed. Different religions and believes have been the downfall in your country, for the sake of being a free country. So free that a special room is now available for prayers at the airports, and I believe there is also one facing the sun at Windsor Castle for Her Majesty staff who are mainly non white, from nearby Slough.
The EU was not that kind to your country either. Look at the thousands and thousands of Polish people that entered UK since 2004, and the misery they caused by undercutting the British working force. It's not too late to put our feet down.
Mr J BaldryFarrugia
Nov 29th 2011, 11:37
Thankyou Germany we know who are best friends are, although you are now our best friends, investing in our country would also be very much appreciated. Thankyou again GERMAN AND All the Germans are most welcome in Malta and Gozo.
Thomas Vella
Nov 29th 2011, 11:08
Best weather for immigrants to catch a plane :)
Charles J. Buttigieg
Nov 29th 2011, 11:00
They will now be given a German passport and if they find it too cold in Germany they'll be free to return to us on a jet plane to enjoy our good weather. Not a bad deal.
Christine Xuereb
Nov 29th 2011, 10:56
I am very happy for them and wish them every success.
Adriano Spiteri
Nov 29th 2011, 10:56
This is but a call for more illegal immigration.
They came here illegally, were pardoned and then moved to another Europe country.
In the meantime anyone applying to come to Malta LEGALLY has to go to hell and back to obtain a permit.
Hypocrites!
Carmelo Aquilina
Nov 29th 2011, 12:05
being a refugee is not illegal
S. Zammit
Nov 29th 2011, 12:14
There is a hell and a hell. The type of hell these immigrants went through is harsher than you can ever immagine. One has to be desperate to travel the desert and the sea to seek refuge.
Who is applying to enter MALTA legally and having a hard time to obtain a visa? WHO? You should be ashamed of yourself.
Please note that when they enter Malta illegaly they are put in a prison in Hal Far for a minimum of
18 months, including children and women, pregnant or not. So please do us all a favour and don't write such comments before you get your facts right. What have they ever done to your pocket?
Charles Sammut
Nov 29th 2011, 12:48
@ S Zammit
It is you who has the facts wrong. 18 months is the maximum anyone will spend in detention, even failed asylum seekers who came here illegally with absolutely no right to do so, are set loose after 18 months.
These illegal immigrants know the rules far better than you do. You can find them on the Jesuit Refugee Service website. There you can easily work out all the loopholes to get round the system. Sort of know the law well so you know how to break it properly and legally.
http://jrsmalta.jesuit.org.mt/wp-content/uploads/downloads/2011/02/Becoming-Vulnerable-in-Detention-MT.pdf
And although they do affect my pocket, it is not that aspect that concerns me most. I see what has happened in other countries and I do not wish it on Malta.
Hans Maerker
Nov 29th 2011, 13:43
@S. Zammit: Just for your information, Adriano Spiteri IS CORRECT. If you move from another EU country to Malta, you have to register at the National Department withing 3 months - and - have to prove that you ...
(a) have a certain annual income, which is for a single person somewhere over 12,000 EUR per annum. Each additional family member adds another 3000+ Euros to this mandatory minimum income requirement. Furthermore, you have to probe that you ...
(b) have a valid health insurance from the country your coming from. That one is proven by your health insurance filling in the European form E 121 and that need to handed to the Entitlement Unit in Valletta as well.
Without this proof of income and health coverage no residence permit to stay in Malta, despite of the 'Free Movement Act' within European countries.
Maybe - YOU - should inform yourself first before you slam other people. By the way, I do know what I'm talking about as my wife and I just moved in January of this year from Germany to Malta and had to go through this process!
Andreas Moser
Nov 29th 2011, 10:24
As part of the refugee swap between Malta and Germany, I am moving to Malta: http://andreasmoser.wordpress.com/2011/11/25/malta-and-germany-swap-refugees/
Charles J. Buttigieg
Nov 29th 2011, 11:46
Andreas,your forefathers tried that already but Winston stopped them.
Keith Goodlip
Nov 29th 2011, 16:29
@Charles. Pity they never succeeded. The world would be a better place.
Please choose the reason of your report below: