News and Updates 23rd of February

News and Updates

We are launching a new section which aims to get an overview of the world of migration. It deals with current policy changes in the field of migration in the UK, Europe and internationally. It also looks at various debates around migration, or just some stories on migration and migrants.

This first edition aims to tackle major changes in the world of migration at EU level in the last few months. The next editions will look more deeply into what is happening in real times. The news and updates newsletter will be issued once a week, on at the beginning of each week.

An overview of what has happened around the world in the last few months…
Germany
Angela Merkel stated that multiculturalism did not work for Germany. According to her, immigrants should do more to integrate.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-11559451

France
The past months have been very ‘culturally’ challenging for Nicolas Sarkozy. He had to deal with the expulsion of the Roma to Romania and Bulgaria, which does not resolve the problem, but only passes it on.
http://www.lefigaro.fr/politique/2010/09/16/01002-20100916ARTFIG00611-roms-a-bruxelles-sarkozy-maintient-son-cap.php

The Netherlands
Geert Wilders’ Freedom Party is famous for its anti-islamic orientation. It won 24 seats in Parliament, almost three times more than in 2006.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-11443211

Sweden
Sweden’s anti-immigration party has gained more seats in the Parliament. The party wants radical curbs on immigration.
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/2010/09/swedish-elections.html


Policy Changes


The French Parliament also banned the burqa, which would be related to a symbol of female oppression.
http://www.france24.com/fr/20100914-france-senat-parlement-vote-interdiction-voile-integral-espace-public-burqa?ns_mchannel=SEM&ns_source=Google&ns_campaign=France%2024%20FR_France&ns_linkname=France%20-%20Loi%20voile%20integral_burqa%20interdiction&ns_fee=0&gclid=CNWjoaSR06UCFQse4QodZxXgkQ .

Switzerland
A new law has been passed by the Parliament which would entitle the authorities to expel foreign criminals.
http://www.lemonde.fr/europe/article/2010/11/28/les-suisses-approuveraient-l-expulsion-des-criminels-etrangers_1446060_3214.html

The UK

The Coalition wants to reduce net migration, which is the number of people coming in the UK and the number of people leaving the UK.
http://conservativehome.blogs.com/parliament/2010/11/theresa-may-confirms-commitment-to-reduce-net-immigration-from-the-hundreds-of-thousands-to-the-tens.html

Nicola Dandridge, Chief Executive of Universities UK has warned that the UK immigration cap being proposed by the Coalition Government will seriously affect the recruitment of highly skilled staff to UK universities and in turn, the provision of courses for UK students. Overseas competitors are watching and will be ready to attract international staff and students deterred by negative perceptions of the UK visa system. Over 10% of academic staff at universities are non-EU nationals.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2010/oct/12/universities-rely-on-international-staff

Lately…

Does immigration trigger emigration? Dutch people leave the NL for a better life in Sweden

Who would have thought that the NL was a sending country to that extent? As a colonial power, the Netherlands has been an immigration country. Worldwide known for the work ethic and high technology, but also good (and cheap) universities, it is one of the most important immigration countries in the EU. However, every year, approximately 205 Dutch nationals leave their country of origin. Sweden is one of their favourite destinations because of the tranquil and content lifestyle, but also space, nature and crime rate lower than in the Netherlands.

The Netherlands has been known as a kingdom of tolerance. However, the assassinations of Pim Fortuyn and Theo van Gogh have raised massive question marks. Moreover, the rise of Geert Wilders (Islamaphobic populist politician) has pushed many Dutch people to leave the country in order to seek for political stability.

My opinion: note that what pushes people to emigrate is immigration. The assassinations of Fortuyn and van Gogh were followed by periods of ‘unrest’ in the NL. Ayaan Hirsi Ali, a Somali born ex Dutch member of the parliament who contributed to the film ‘Submission’ which triggered the assassination of Theo Van Gogh has been, since, hiding… The film looked at the mistreatment of women in the Islam

For more on Dutch emigration to Sweden go to http://www.presseurop.eu/en/content/article/508921-dutch-find-paradise-sweden

Tunisian exodus to Italy

Following the social unrest in Tunisia, around 5,000 Tunisians left the country for the small Italian island of Lampedusa. Given the fact that Lampedusa could not cope with the sudden inflow of migrants, Italy has been provided by the EU with personnel, vessels and aircraft.

Moreover, an agreement has been made between Italy’s foreign minister and Tunisia’s interim prime minister. Under this, Italy will give Tunisia radars and boats which will be operated by Tunisians.

My opinion: I have always thought of the following idea. Most of the times, immigrants tend to be overrepresented in some cities. This could undermine their social and economic ‘integration’, as they would either stay within their communities or they could not find jobs quickly because enough or too much work force. What about creating a body in charge with ‘homogenizing’ the numbers of migrants across the receiving society?

For more on the Lampedusa case go to http://english.aljazeera.net/news/europe/2011/02/201121513182181420.html

UK. Immigration and Asylum Policy

The House of Commons has produced a paper summarising recent Government statements concerning immigration and asylum policy. These are:

-          A new visa category “for people with exceptional talent”

-          No cap on the number of investor and entrepreneur visas available

-          Cap on Tier 2

-          Tougher entry criteria for Tier 4 (students) etc

My opinion: As it has already been discussed in the press, the cap will certainly damage UK Research Institutes and Education providers. Most of the researchers are migrants. Also, under the current legislation, education providers will find it more difficult to recruit international students. In order to address these issues, the Coalition has come up with two solutions – non-EU workers earning more than £150,000 will be excluded from the cap. Secondly, they have made it clear that only further education institutions (colleges) are tackled, as they represent an open door for bogus students and courses. However, this does not mean that the problem is resolved. How many people earn more than £150,000/year? Not that many, and certainly not the researchers. Secondly, education providers will be the main losers of the current immigration reforms (together with the education reforms which will rise the price of tuition fees), as less international students will come to the UK.

For more on this topic go to http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-12471060 and http://www.ein.org.uk/resources/full.shtml?x=283835

Author: Claudia Paraschivescu claudia.paraschivescu@gmail.com