2008 Woodie Awards
Britain Takes a Step Back on Immigration
Europe should keep its borders open, not recoil with xenophobia.
John Ferreira
Issue date: 4/29/05 Section: Opinions
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The election in Great Britain will be held on May 5, something that has received little attention here in the United States. Tony Blair's Labour Party has a slight lead in the latest opinion polls, but it is clear that Blair's support has slipped during this last term and this election will be no walk in the park.
One of the most contentious issues in this election has been one we discuss often here in the United States, the issue of immigration. This is a great example that democracies all around the world are dealing with the same difficult issues. Just as Americans are dealing with problems that arise with immigration, the Brits are struggling for ideas on how to deal with immigration.
The two main parties in Britain are offering to take a step back by offering immigration controls. The Tories are suggesting annual refugee and immigrant quotas, bonds for temporary workers, compulsory health checks, offshore asylum processing centres, new border police, and quitting UN refugee convention. Labour is proposing much the same by suggesting that they will reduce asylum numbers by tougher rules on settlement and more deportations, having electronic register of all crossing borders and establishing skills-based point systems for permanent immigrants.
It is laughable that while Europeans claim to be the most accepting of people and look down on racist America, they are taking a step back on immigration. Instead of opening its borders for those who want honest work, these new rules in Britain will be a great economic retrogress. This hint of xenophobia can be felt in France, too. In the 2002 French elections, Jacques Chirac had to face off against anti-immigrant xenophobe Jean-Marie Le Pen, who wanted to close French borders and expel Muslims. America has been known for its anti-immigrant ideologues, notably Pat Buchanan who believes that immigrants dilute the purity of American values.
Immigration is an integral part to any strong nation. Democracy is grounded on the ideal that it can accept people with different ideals, upbringing, and values. It is sad when the dominant British political wind is telling people outsiders that they are not welcome in their nation. There have been many eastern Europeans and Muslims who have moved to Britain and made themselves productive citizens. Western nations should not close their boundaries to anyone who is willing to make an honest living, because it sets a terrible example for budding democracies around the world. While the Muslim world continues to be mostly closed, new ideas are pouring in from those who return to the Middle East after living in Europe.
Europe should stay open so that it can disseminate its ideas and show everyone the beauty of democracy.
One of the most contentious issues in this election has been one we discuss often here in the United States, the issue of immigration. This is a great example that democracies all around the world are dealing with the same difficult issues. Just as Americans are dealing with problems that arise with immigration, the Brits are struggling for ideas on how to deal with immigration.
The two main parties in Britain are offering to take a step back by offering immigration controls. The Tories are suggesting annual refugee and immigrant quotas, bonds for temporary workers, compulsory health checks, offshore asylum processing centres, new border police, and quitting UN refugee convention. Labour is proposing much the same by suggesting that they will reduce asylum numbers by tougher rules on settlement and more deportations, having electronic register of all crossing borders and establishing skills-based point systems for permanent immigrants.
It is laughable that while Europeans claim to be the most accepting of people and look down on racist America, they are taking a step back on immigration. Instead of opening its borders for those who want honest work, these new rules in Britain will be a great economic retrogress. This hint of xenophobia can be felt in France, too. In the 2002 French elections, Jacques Chirac had to face off against anti-immigrant xenophobe Jean-Marie Le Pen, who wanted to close French borders and expel Muslims. America has been known for its anti-immigrant ideologues, notably Pat Buchanan who believes that immigrants dilute the purity of American values.
Immigration is an integral part to any strong nation. Democracy is grounded on the ideal that it can accept people with different ideals, upbringing, and values. It is sad when the dominant British political wind is telling people outsiders that they are not welcome in their nation. There have been many eastern Europeans and Muslims who have moved to Britain and made themselves productive citizens. Western nations should not close their boundaries to anyone who is willing to make an honest living, because it sets a terrible example for budding democracies around the world. While the Muslim world continues to be mostly closed, new ideas are pouring in from those who return to the Middle East after living in Europe.
Europe should stay open so that it can disseminate its ideas and show everyone the beauty of democracy.