Migration

With the fate of many African migrants often being one of death from the failure of rickety boats used to move them towards the European coast, nervous smugglers ejecting their “clients” during the journey, or just a lack of action from receiving countries to save stranded migrants from drowning, there has been some recent progressive measures to reduce illegal immigration to Spain, or at least reduce the risk of those who will eventually make the journey.

Spain and Senegal signed and agreement to help combat illegal immigration until the 30th of June 2008 by working together in reducing the numbers of migrants fleeing Senegalese ports towards the Spanish Canary Islands. The agreement has paid dividends and as a result there has already been a reduction of boats from 901 in 2006, to only 101 in the first half of 2007.

Cooperation between Senegal and Spain has not been adopted solely via setting up common barriers. A number of Spanish businessmen have opted to go to Senegal directly and offer working visas to many of Senegal’s brightest young people who often have to use rickety boats and deal with organized mafia to get to Spain illegally. Often many of the young Senegalese do not survive the journey, or lose their money to unscrupulous individuals who leave them bankrupt with no way out of their country. Some of Spain’s entrepreneurs understand that many would come illegally and often are solely seeking employment to feed their families and make a better life. With institutional supports in Spain and opportunities to work, more than 500 Senegalese have taken the low risk option to come and work in Spain.

While the limited actions of the Spanish Government and businessmen are a very progressive approach towards addressing illegal immigration, an overall grand push in addressing the issue is needed. On the 25th of June 2007 the EU announced 380 million Euros in funding to assist migrant home countries in increasing security against illegal immigration. Similar to the cooperation agreement between Spain and Senegal, the EU will work on future frameworks to reduce illegal immigration from its source and curb unnecessary deaths for those economic migrants coming to the EU from Africa. While illegal migrations and deaths are certain to continue, there seems to be at least some small and ever growing efforts in addressing the immigration problems and rights of migrants coming to Spain and the EU.

This week’s news roundup features stories on racial inequality in the UK, an update on the immigration debate in the US and Canada’s search for new migrants to help it cope with its recent oil boom:

• ITV, the UK news channel, features a story on research by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation according to which people from ethnic minorities are twice as likely to be poor than their white counterparts. The series of research reports on the issue can be downloaded directly from the foundation’s website.
• Immigration policy reform remains a hot button topic on the US agenda, with presidential hopefuls beginning to weigh in on the issue to add to their profile. Over the weekend, immigrants protested in Houston, Texas and Phoenix, Arizona. A number of protests are expected across the country for ‘May Day,’ including a march in Indianapolis . Organizers there are hoping to repeat the success of the last demonstration in April, which brought 20,000 people to the streets to remind Congress of its unfinished business. Meanwhile the April 30th Editorial of the New York Times accuses Republican Presidential candidates of “lurching, falling over themselves to convince voters that where they stand is not where they stood.” The author finds Rudy Giuliani and John McCain’s sudden change of opinion the most disheartening.
• Modern day slavery is the result of human trafficking. The New York Times features the harrowing story of a Nigerian woman worked for 12 years without pay, in what can only be described as modern day servitude.
• While all the world seems to be speaking of curtailing immigration, officials in Alberta, Canada are seeking a few good men and women - 100,000 to be exact - to help cope with the demand in jobs after the oil boom, the UK’s Guardian reports.