Not just manpower” “

Controls at the external frontiers, formulation of a plan of action for cracking down on clandestine immigration by sea, security controls at points of entry into the European Union, cooperation with countries of origin and transit of migratory flows: these are some of the measures decided by the EU to curb clandestine immigration, an issue recently back in the headlines following the latest disembarkations on the coasts of Europe, especially in Sicily, with numerous victims. On the relation between immigration and globalization we consulted Father Jörg Alt , for many years involved in the JRS (Jesuit Service for Refugees) in Berlin and author of a recent study of the problem. Does globalization influence clandestine immigration? “Globalization is aimed at facilitating the world flow not only of money and information, but also of people and services… But we cannot on the one hand open doors and on the other slam them shut again, so preventing many from enjoying the benefits that globalization offers. For many people, clandestine immigration represents a way of ensuring themselves of a little slice of the ‘prosperity cake’ in a globalised world: it makes no difference whether the host nations consider this behaviour ‘illegal’ or not. When a person finds himself in a situation of emergency for himself and for his family, he doesn’t stop to ask himself whether something is permitted: he asks, rather, whether it can be obtained and how. When a person thinks of emigrating in the search for better living conditions, he is unlikely to consider the eventuality of finding himself in a state of even greater poverty and dependency than before”. Are there alternatives or solutions to the problem? “Yes, first of all classic solutions such as diverting resources for the security of the frontiers to the prevention of immigration and the crackdown on groups that traffic in immigrants, or implementing measures for the liberalization of trade and really effective programmes for the short-term rotation of workers… But there are also new aspects: new ways need to be studied to ensure that the earnings of ‘clandestines’ reach their families in their countries of origin without enriching middlemen. There’s also a need for better provisions that take into account those factors that influence the decision of immigrants to come, to stay or to go home: the labour market, the cost of housing, of residence, illness. There are ‘clandestines’ who would willingly go home, but who haven’t got the money to do so, or are afraid of being repatriated by expulsion due to the period of detention it involves”. What contribution can the Church make in this perspective? “The Church has at her disposal a quantity of contacts and information that may be useful for the development of appropriate political concepts and provisions. It is the task of the Church to be the advocate of those whose voice is not heard in the world today. This goes in particular for clandestine immigrants, whose manpower is welcomed but whose presence is cursed. So priority should therefore be given to the defence of fundamental rights, such as healthcare, the education of children, protection from exploitation”. Are there differences between the European countries in the way they treat immigration? “There are countries that are far more advanced, especially in southern Europe where the issue of clandestine immigration has long been discussed in depth. I believe that general remissions, as happens in Italy, the USA or Greece, are not the best way of dealing with the problem, because experience shows that no sooner have immigrants been ‘legalized’ that new ‘clandestines’ arrive, due to the economic demand for cheaper manpower”.