Comments on: EU integration proposals: The buck stops with Spain http://migration.foreignpolicyblogs.com/2008/07/03/eu-integration-proposals-the-buck-stops-with-spain/ The official Web log for Great Decisions 2007 Sat, 22 Nov 2008 19:37:20 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=wordpress-mu-1.0 by: Diana Gabriele http://migration.foreignpolicyblogs.com/2008/07/03/eu-integration-proposals-the-buck-stops-with-spain/#comment-723 Mon, 14 Jul 2008 18:28:21 +0000 http://migration.foreignpolicyblogs.com/2008/07/03/eu-integration-proposals-the-buck-stops-with-spain/#comment-723 this plan that would require immigrants to sign an integration pact undermines their cultural identity and cultural rights. we are indeed interested in having immigrants integrate and learn a national language, go to school and respect the equality of men and women, among other things---and while the intentions might be good on paper, this text represents an implausible solution to the integration problems of Europe. In France particularly, the integration problems and the riots that occurred a few years back were not due to the current or past immigrants' unwillingness to integrate, but rather, with systems that are in place which do not allow (or make it hard) for immigrants and their children, second generation immigrants, to integrate when they are forced to live in ghettos, underdeveloped areas where resources are few, violence is high, schools are overpopulated and drugs and gangs rule. Immigrants need to be recognized for what they can bring into the country, not only for what they "take" from the host country. Immigrants go to a country in search of better opportunities, to contribute to society, to educate their children and to provide for their families. They mostly do the type of work that no other citizens want to do or take, no matter what the unemployment rates are looking like: "dirty, demeaning and dangerous"jobs. Instead of following Mr. Sarkozy's plan, what Europe should do is follow Spain's example: provide paths for legalization, and let these citizens contribute taxes, stop living in fear of deportation, balance the demographic age gap, work the jobs that no one wants, be innovative and create job opportunities and thriving communities, revive neighborhoods, introduce new cultures and foods. In a world that become increasingly interconnected and globalized, We should be celebrating and embracing diversity, not restricting it. Immigrants should be allowed to have their cultural and legal rights, all within the context of human rights in Europe. this plan that would require immigrants to sign an integration pact undermines their cultural identity and cultural rights. we are indeed interested in having immigrants integrate and learn a national language, go to school and respect the equality of men and women, among other things—and while the intentions might be good on paper, this text represents an implausible solution to the integration problems of Europe. In France particularly, the integration problems and the riots that occurred a few years back were not due to the current or past immigrants’ unwillingness to integrate, but rather, with systems that are in place which do not allow (or make it hard) for immigrants and their children, second generation immigrants, to integrate when they are forced to live in ghettos, underdeveloped areas where resources are few, violence is high, schools are overpopulated and drugs and gangs rule.
Immigrants need to be recognized for what they can bring into the country, not only for what they “take” from the host country. Immigrants go to a country in search of better opportunities, to contribute to society, to educate their children and to provide for their families. They mostly do the type of work that no other citizens want to do or take, no matter what the unemployment rates are looking like: “dirty, demeaning and dangerous”jobs. Instead of following Mr. Sarkozy’s plan, what Europe should do is follow Spain’s example: provide paths for legalization, and let these citizens contribute taxes, stop living in fear of deportation, balance the demographic age gap, work the jobs that no one wants, be innovative and create job opportunities and thriving communities, revive neighborhoods, introduce new cultures and foods.
In a world that become increasingly interconnected and globalized, We should be celebrating and embracing diversity, not restricting it.
Immigrants should be allowed to have their cultural and legal rights, all within the context of human rights in Europe.

]]> by: R.Basas http://migration.foreignpolicyblogs.com/2008/07/03/eu-integration-proposals-the-buck-stops-with-spain/#comment-714 Thu, 03 Jul 2008 20:11:44 +0000 http://migration.foreignpolicyblogs.com/2008/07/03/eu-integration-proposals-the-buck-stops-with-spain/#comment-714 Thanks Cathryn, this is great!! Ill post more on this issue soon as well! Cheers, Rich Thanks Cathryn, this is great!! Ill post more on this issue soon as well!

Cheers,
Rich

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