Immigration

Picking up from where we left off: Immigration. In the last few months, we have seen how avalanche after avalanche of immigrants entered Ceuta and Melilla illegally. I understand the causes of immigration perfectly: we live in a civilized and relatively rich country were opportunities are abroad, and people who are less lucky and have a chance to come here, try to do so. We need immigration since right now the immigrants in Spain are the main economic engine: they have the jobs Spaniards don’t want and they’re the ones that work the hardest. The problems arise when two circumstances are given:

- Illegal immigrants are given rights which Spanish citizens pay for, free.
- Illegal immigrants which conduct illegal activities arrive

The situation created in the first of these cases is completely illogical. Take, for example, one out of the many pregnant women which cross the strait of Gibraltar and arrive successfully to Spanish coasts. Since her baby will be born in Spain, she is given:

- The right for her child to attend a nursery school for free
- Social security for her and her child for free
- The right to get financial aid from the government while she is not working (paro)

In the second case, the good name the hard working immigrants have earned themselves in Spain is shattered to pieces. Each time we hear that an illegal immigrant kills someone or one of the “Latin King” bands controls entire sections of the city or small cities in which the police won’t even dare enter, we generalize and apply that reputation to all immigrants…an unfair but very realistic policy. Not only have those who commit illegal acts shamed the rest of the immigrants. As well, many immigrants which arrive to Spain are creating serious conflicts because of their reluctance to adapt. As in every situation, balance is needed: an immigrant can maintain all of his customs and traditions as long as they don’t go against the law. Real-life example: a Muslim woman walks into a hospital in Spain about to give birth to her baby. At the entrance, facial identification is needed to fill out a record (no cost whatsoever) and the man going with her says that no one but himself will see his wife: she will not unveil her face. With all due respect to the tradition the veil involves; that woman is about to give birth to a baby which will be considered Spanish and be given full rights, she will remain in the hospital for some days (no cost, again) and she doesn’t even have the decency of allowing the receptionist to see her face??? I’m sorry but, in my opinion, illegal immigrants are given plenty of rights and privileges, and all that’s asked for in exchange is adaptation to a small degree. Not only are they not deported on the spot when they arrive to Spain, but they are allowed many rights which are like a dream come true, and this is what we have? Warnings at hospitals since the immigrants residing there temporarily are stealing valuable objects? Having a picture of a woman with a veil on an ID?

Immigration is a current and very serious issue Spain faces and is not solving. Not six months ago, the current government passed a series of laws in which during a period of several days, any illegal immigrant with any ridiculous way of being identified as a resident (bus ticket) would be completely legalized. That sounds great, but truth is that, that means more taxes to pay and can even cause further trouble. The incidents at Ceuta and Melilla have just been more noticeable than the everyday reports we see on TV about fifty immigrants arriving at the beaches of the South coast illegally.