Highlights
– European Union lawmakers pass controversial new laws
– Tougher measures focus on illegal immigrants
– Attitudes and concerns prevalent throughout Europe
On June 18, 2008, European Union (EU) lawmakers passed controversial new rules aimed at regulating the flow of illegal immigrants into the 27-member bloc. The measure underscores Europe’s hardening attitudes towards immigration, both legal and illegal, as EU member states continue to battle tensions due to increased violence and xenophobia as a result of burgeoning immigrant populations.
As the global economic crunch continues, wealthy governments are facing increased pressure to harden immigration policy. EU member states, in particular, have fallen victim to marked problems as a result of illegal immigration. To this end, according to EU polls, the vast majority of immigrants arriving in Europe stem from North Africa, former Soviet Union nations, and the Balkans, a fact that is believed to be to blame for increasing violence in the 27-member bloc.
The signing of the new measure represents a first in EU history. Prior to the June 18, 2008 action, a common EU-wide policy for expelling illegal immigrants had not existed. Further, detention periods for suspected illegal immigrants varied widely from 32 days in France to indefinite detention in the United Kingdom (UK), the Netherlands, and others.
Tough Measures
On June 18, 2008, EU lawmakers made history with the signing of extensive anti-illegal immigration measures. Under newly established guidelines, illegal immigrants residing in the 27-member bloc may be held in specialized detention centers for a period of up to 18 months prior to being expelled. Additionally, immediately following apprehension, immigrants will be given the opportunity to depart the country voluntarily within 30 days. However, in the event individuals are deemed flight risks or fail to comply with the measure, EU governments are permitted to place individuals in custody for a period of six months. Commenting on the hardened measures, German Christian Democrat, Manfred Weber stated, “Europe has made it clear that it is not tolerating any form of illegal status.”
The new law took more than two years to develop amid differing positions among EU leaders. All EU governments will have two years to fully implement the measures that are part of an extensive effort to establish a common EU asylum and immigration policy by the year 2010.
Outlook
EU estimates indicate some eight million illegal immigrants are resident in the member bloc, many of them living in sub-standard conditions. While EU leaders contend the measures will not lead to mass raids, reminiscent of US policies of late, human rights organizations, to include Amnesty International, are up in arms due to the undeclared and further alleged unprotected status of migrants’ safety and security. According to Amnesty International, “an excessive period of detention of up to 1.5 years as well as an EU-wide re-entry ban for those forcibly returned risk lowering existing standards in the member states and set an extremely bad example to other regions in the world.”
European nation states face increasingly difficult times ahead as they battle the rising influx of both legal and illegal immigrants arriving on their shores. Specifically, due in part to declining birth rates across the continent, European economies will increase demand on inexpensive immigrant labor. To this end, several EU members, to include, Italy, have taken proactive steps to combat the issue. As we previously reported, upon his re-election in April 2008, Italian Prime Minister (PM) Silvio Berlusconi, known for his strong stance on illegal immigration, pledged to use his election win to close Italy’s border to illegal immigrants in an effort to crackdown on criminals he terms “the army of evil” (Previous Report). Further, in anticipation of the new EU-wide law, PM Berlusconi toughened Italy’s internal immigration policies by raising custody to the maximum limit.
We believe the concerns indicated by the signing of the EU legislation underscore prevailing attitudes resident across the continent. Further, it is likely the new legislation will be readily accepted by member states struggling to keep up with increased levels of immigration.
