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"Most illegal immigration is, from
the economic point of view, simply a labour migration not approved by
the government", Dr Giuseppe Sciortino
A report published
today by the House of Lords, 'A Common Policy On Illegal Immigration',
makes interesting reading and puts a few holes in the Home Office's concept
of why people come to the UK. It also moots a call for an amnesty for
a "growing underclass of people" who cannot be removed, whether
failed asylum seekers or 'illegal' migrants. And has a sneaking suspicion
that the largest number of 'illegal' immigrants coming to the UK are from
the USA.
Download the report in PDF fomat:
'illigal' immigration.pdf
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A Common Policy On Illegal Immigration
House of Lords Select Committee appointed to consider
European Union documents and other matters relating to the European Union.
. . . . . 85. No EU country is able to remove every illegal
immigrant. In the United Kingdom the main focus of attention is on failed
asylum seekers, who represent only one category of illegal immigrants.
. . . . . 86. Some form of regularisation is unavoidable
if a growing underclass of people in an irregular situation, who are vulnerable
to exploitation, is not to be created.
. . . . . In the context of the historical movements
of people the concept of illegal immigration is a relatively recent one.
It was only when States were in a position to formulate rules governing
the entry and residence of foreigners and to enforce them that contravention
of those rules–and consequently the concept of illegal immigration–became
possible.
21. The nature of illegal immigration varies between different
countries. In the United Kingdom public debate and policy responses focus
almost exclusively on asylum seekers, to the point where the term is sometimes
used almost synonymously with illegal immigrants.
. . . . . more could and should be done across the EU
to increase the opportunities for legal immigration in order to meet identified
labour shortages.
. . . . . There is little evidence that illegal immigration
is a national security issue in terms of providing cover for terrorists,
. . . . . 47. Governments need to manage migration in
a way that controls illegal immigration effectively. But in doing so they
must not forget that they are dealing with people, most of whom
are motivated simply by a desire for a better life for themselves and
their families; and in devising measures to control illegal immigration
they must ensure that they scrupulously observe their human rights obligations.
(emphasis in bold italics, NCADC's)
. . . . . it is disappointing that the Government, while
enthusiastically endorsing measures designed to improve the enforcement
of immigration controls, have consistently chosen not to
opt into positive immigration measures, such as those relating to admission
for employment and self-employment; family reunion; and protection
for the victims of trafficking.[70] A truly common policy needs
to embrace both positive and enforcement elements and the Committee believes
that United Kingdom interests would be better served by such an approach.
(emphasis in bold italics, NCADC's)
. . . . . Australia. There overstayers (58,748 in 2000,[23]
of whom British citizens were the single largest national category) greatly
outnumber other categories of illegal immigrants–those arriving unauthorised
by air (1695 detected in 2000) and sea (4,175).[24] It is quite likely
that a similar pattern exists in the United Kingdom with the largest number
of illegal immigrants in the widest sense coming from countries such as
the United States which provide the largest number of visitors.
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