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I followed with interest the articles published lately by this newspaper regarding the issue of illegal immigration; an issue I have also been scrutinizing closely on a political level. It has been stated correctly that this problem does not revolve exclusively with those illegal aliens that approach our shores via the sea on broken down vessels, though this trend is very worrying indeed. In fact, in this respect, the economic strain on our country is already hardly sustainable and as correctly stated we urgently need outside help in this regards. In real terms however the problem of illegal immigration goes far beyond this.
As MLP spokesperson also for statistics, I have been pressing the government to divulge information it might have with regards to foreigners that are allowed entry only by means of a visa. From the replies given to me in Parliament it transpires that over the last few years, around 40,000 visas are issued annually by the Maltese Authorities.
When this figure is compared with our population, it will become apparent that this is a very staggering amount indeed. What is more worrying however is not the amount of visas actually issued, but the percentage of those foreigners who abusively do not adhere to the conditions and time-frames imposed by the said visas.
I investigated the matter further and I asked the Minister concerned, whether any statistics are kept to indicate how many of these foreign visitors have overstayed their visit and who are therefore to be regarded as being present in our country illegally.
It is no big secret that a substantial number of them use their visas merely as a pretext to be able to enter our country and then, as they would have pre-intended to do all along, opt to remain in our country.
There could be thousands of these. Figures could be overwhelming and this is very alarming. To my astonishment, however, the Minister concerned replied that to date no statistics whatsoever are kept, and therefore presumably, the Government has absolutely no idea of how great the problem might be.
In effect, it must be pointed out that when from time to time, the Police Authorities from the Immigration Division, organise specific raids in well identified areas, the results are spectacular since large numbers of illegal immigrants are exposed.
On account of all this, and on behalf of the Labour Party in opposition, I recently issued a press release, calling on the Government to rectify the incongruity and take the necessary measures in order to ensure that such imperative data about foreigners overstaying their visa are kept and made public.
I was happy to note that the clamor created led to a positive response from the government agency responsible for statistics. In fact, the person responsible has offered to take up the matter further in order to evaluate ways and means of compiling the figures. In due course, I myself will take the liberty to make my own personal suggestions.
In truth however, I cannot see why the big deal to compile such data and all that is really required is a concerted effort by the Immigration Department, the Airport Authorities, and the National Statistics Office. Persons entering Malta on a visa basis should be clearly tagged and if they fail to comply with the conditions imposed, the authorities should be informed.
A lot of fuss and perhaps rightly so, is made regarding the few hundred illegal immigrants that arrive on our shores in the hazardous manner as already described. These amount to around a 1,000 a year and even if with great difficulty are kept under control, and duly processed. The problem regarding the other batch of illegal immigrants is far more serious but our authorities do not appear to be tackling them with the same zeal.
The first step in this direction should be the compiling of the relevant statistics and information without which no effective measures can ever be taken.
Dr Herrera is a Labour MP
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