Quote:
Going against the grain of regional ideology, Spain this week granted political amnesty to nearly 700,000 illegal immigrants living in the country. This is the latest in several blanket amnesties since 1990. During a three-month period in which illegal workers and their employers could file for the necessary papers, thousands of immigrants, from Latin America and around Europe came out from hiding, in Spain or other countries, to obtain legal residency. Spain considers the decision – fueled in part by concerns over the exploitation of illegal migrants – a victory.
The tone of the officials as they speak about this is in such contrast to what I normally hear on this subject, I just had to post. Of course some of the old stereotypes are still there, such as
Quote:
"There are now three times as many illegal immigrants as there were a year ago," said Ana Pastor, social affairs spokeswoman for the opposition conservative People's party. "Spain is considered an easy ride."
The newspaper El Mundo said in an editorial: "On the horizon one can detect new avalanches of migrants - encouraged by this process - who could bring with them problems of crime and integration."
The newspaper El Mundo said in an editorial: "On the horizon one can detect new avalanches of migrants - encouraged by this process - who could bring with them problems of crime and integration."
The government's stance may be largely influenced by the (percieved) lack of language and cultural barriers to a relatively seamless integration, or as the socialists say, out of more humanitarian purposes. It seems that it will be the last amnesty offered, however, which is also a good example of how a noble act doesn't have to make you a patsy.
