Europe cannot rid itself of trouble by deporting illegal immigrants
by
RECEP KORKUT*

As a legacy of the global economic crisis, the worst stage of which is behind us according to some economists, xenophobia has increased throughout the world. To confirm this situation in Europe, illegal immigrants have unjustly been charged for the price of the crisis. European countries have begun to take more precautions against illegal immigrants, restricting the legal status given to illegal immigrants and deporting more illegal immigrants. Fascist politicians have made use of this situation, which raises worries about human rights and democracy, in order to deal a blow to illegal immigrants.

In a period when voices for tighter measures against illegal immigrants have been raised in many EU countries, led by France, almost adding fuel to the fire, there has been a development: Belgium has given amnesty to 25,000 illegal immigrants. This development can worry many EU countries due to the possibility that it might affect them; however, this amnesty is the most important step recently taken to solve the problem of illegal immigrants in Europe.

Belgium's step could lead to productive results in solving the issue of illegal immigrants in Europe by initiating debates on the matter. However, to reach realistic solutions, a fundamental mistake, which has become an obstacle to solving the problem, must be voiced: When Europeans deal with the matter politically and academically, they cannot recognize the distinction between the fight against illegal immigration and illegal immigrants in their country. Even though the two issues are related, there is a clear and sharp difference between the two -- especially related to the solution of the problem. At this point, we have to be honest, and while fighting against illegal immigration, we should not punish illegal immigrants who have lived in Europe for years. Of course, a solution to the matter should be sought; however, when doing this, illegal immigration and illegal immigrants have to be treated separately.

Europe is going through ‘boomerang syndrome’

When looking at the present picture of fighting illegal immigration, we can see that Europeans have failed. And if they continue in the same way, they will not succeed in the future either. When Europeans fight against illegal immigration, they raise their walls, and this causes a reverse effect, for in Europe, illegal immigration is triggered by the fact that legal immigration is almost impossible.

There are things which Europe has to do to fight against illegal immigration in both short and medium terms. First, instead of raising walls against illegal immigrants, legal channels for immigration should be opened. There also need to be the necessary precautions taken to end the tragic situations in which immigrants die in the Mediterranean Sea. These must be done in the short term. The measure necessary to be taken in the medium term requires some steps on the global level. That is, Europe has to take responsibility for the matter. Why people leave their own countries and become illegal immigrants has to be questioned, and the reasons for this have to be tackled. At this point, it has to be underlined that Europe is going through a “boomerang syndrome”: Problematic situations, ignored by Europe, have returned to it due to its selfishness and self-interest.

Today the number of illegal immigrants living in Europe is reportedly 8-10 million. For these illegal immigrants currently living in Europe, steps have to be taken without mixing the issue with fighting against illegal immigration. As Belgium did, a general amnesty can rescue illegal immigrants from the “illegal” label (not only is this amnesty important from a humanitarian and democratic point of view, it also serves the interests of EU countries). This amnesty should provide an opportunity to people who live in conditions of modern slavery and who cannot integrate into the society in which they live due to their illegal status. Deportations of illegal immigrants have to be stopped immediately. Europe cannot solve the problem of illegal immigration by deporting illegal immigrants because hunting down illegal immigrants has resulted in ruining the lives of thousands of people and leading to the illegal immigrant trade getting more organized and costly for EU countries.

Europe has to take necessary steps before it is too late

For Europe, which has no problem facing its mistakes, it is time to start a comprehensive plan to find a solution to illegal immigration. However, at present, there is another fact that we have to take into account: Illegal immigrants, who have been abandoned to face their fate and be pushed to the fringes of society, are rightfully learning to “protest,” an act brought on by their pressing basic needs. A read of this situation is alarming for the future. Despite the dismal snapshot of this situation, it is not too late; however, Europe has to take some steps before it is. In case this doesn't happen, particularly in places such as Greece and France where there is zero tolerance shown to illegal immigrants and the people in need are disassociated from society, there will be strong and dangerous illegal immigrant uprisings. No one wants this happen.