Thread: EU gets tough on illegals , standardizes deportation rules

Friday, June 20, 2008 - Page updated at 12:00 AM



EU gets tough on illegal immigrants, standardizes deportation rules
In one of the clearest signs yet of Europe's hardening stance on immigration, the European Parliament this week approved tough new rules...

By Mariah Blake

The Christian Science Monitor

HAMBURG, Germany — In one of the clearest signs yet of Europe's hardening stance on immigration, the European Parliament this week approved tough new rules for expelling undocumented immigrants, among them a provision allowing member nations to keep migrants in detention centers for up to 18 months. Foreigners who have been forcibly deported also face a five-year ban on re-entering the European Union.

The measure, which met stiff opposition from liberal lawmakers and human-rights groups, comes as a wave of anti-immigrant feeling and policy proposals are sweeping Europe and parts of the United States.

The measure passed on Wednesday aims to standardize rules for deporting immigrants, which vary widely across the 27-nation bloc. Under the terms, EU countries are required to give illegal immigrants seven to 30 days to leave Europe after receiving deportation orders.

Those who don't depart voluntarily, or who officials fear may go into hiding, can be detained for up to 18 months while awaiting removal to their home country or a third nation. This includes families and unaccompanied children, though EU nations are urged to detain minors only as a "last resort." The measure also lays out some safeguards, like provisions for medical care.

Supporters contend the rules were needed to give weight to immigration laws.

"Europe has made it clear that it is not tolerating any form of illegal status," says Manfred Weber, a German center-right lawmaker, who shepherded the directive through parliament.

But critics argue the EU measure will erode humanitarian standards in Europe and beyond. During the floor debate that preceded the vote, Giusto Catania, an Italian leftist, called the measure "an insult to civilization in Europe."

The new policy — part of a wide-ranging package of policies under negotiation in the EU that aim to create a common European approach to immigration — is part of widespread anti-immigrant backlash.

• Last month, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who blames immigrants for soaring crime rates, proposed a raft of measures, among them a law to make entering the country without permission a crime punishable by up to four years in prison. Meanwhile, Roma (Gypsy) camps around Naples have been reduced to ruins by a string of firebomb attacks.

• On Tuesday, Spain announced plans to give legal immigrants who have lost their jobs lump-sum payments if they agree to return home. Just a year ago, the Spanish government was contracting workers in countries like Ecuador and Morocco to fill jobs. The plan, which will go into effect in July, offers documented migrants who have lost their jobs two lump sums — one before they leave Spain, the other once they have get home. Immigrants must hand over their residence visas and work permits and agree not to return to Spain for at least three years.

• And France has vowed to make illegal immigration a key focus of its EU presidency, which begins July 1. Among the measures it hopes to see the European Parliament approve are sanctions for companies that employ undocumented immigrants.

Critics argue the measure could encourage European nations to hold immigrants and asylum seekers in detention for longer periods.



Currently, two-thirds of member states have limits shorter than those specified under the new law. In France, for instance, immigrants can be held only 32 days; Hungary has a one-year cap. Italy has already announced that it plans to abandon its two-month limit in favor of the new standard.

In the EU, there are 224 detention centers for migrants, with space for more than 30,000 detainees. While the centers vary greatly, a 236-page report contracted by the European Parliament last year found that the conditions at many are "grim," "inhumane," and "degrading."

Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez threatened Thursday to punish European countries that apply the new rules by denying them oil and blocking their investments.






http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/n ... cation=rss

This is great news! The EU seems to be getting it! Instead of doing the same, the US allows mexico to deploy its mobile consulates (among other things) in order to service their beloved illegals all across this country.

When is this country going to "get it" regarding illegals?