[ALBSA-Info] Greece – Immigration a thorny issue that needs a more thorough solution

[Gazhebo at aol.com]

Immigration a thorny issue that needs a more thorough solution

It has often been said that the problem of immigration from the most 
unfortunate places on earth to those that are, or appear to be, more 
fortunate, is an explosive device with a very long fuse.

The problem entails conflicting needs and conflicting solutions: Unemployment 
and, in some sectors, an insufficient work force, the need to guard borders 
and the practical impossibility of doing so, humanitarian treatment of 
illegal immigrants who are in need and the limits of tolerance within local 
society, hospitality and xenophobia, the incorporation of foreigners into 
society and the preservation of local traditions, higher moral principles and 
respect for certain baser reactions on the part of the people, to name but a 
few. In the midst of this confusion, it would be naive to try to formulate a 
clear, single-track policy on immigration matters. On the other hand, it is 
pointless to ignore the problem in the hope that it will resolve itself with 
the passage of time. For as time goes on, new complications arise.

A necessary law
Given the above, the passing of a law titled "The entry and residence of 
foreigners in Greece, acquisition of Greek citizenship and other procedures" 
was most welcome, particularly the attempt to settle the status of many 
thousands of foreigners who have entered the country illegally but live and 
work here. It appears that some kind of legal status is unavoidable, as the 
perpetuation and tolerance of illegality only emphasizes the negative aspects 
of the situation.

The law was passed and publicized broadly. The advertising slogan was almost 
touching: "No one need be illegal any longer. The law says so." The circular 
issued by the relevant ministry claimed triumphantly that the State would 
take care of its illegal immigrants: "A solution is to be found for the huge 
question of foreigners living illegally in our country... living as pariahs, 
subject to all kinds of exploitation and the temptations of organized and 
petty crime."

It all sounds wonderful, but that is as far as it goes. For the law itself 
cancels out the State's benign intentions, by demanding that the illegal 
immigrant must have lived in Greece for one year (entering the country by 
June 2, 2000). Of course, the law had to set some time limit if it is not to 
act as an incentive.

Yet how on earth are illegal immigrants to prove they have been here for a 
year? There can be no question of them having a Greek visa or an entry stamp 
on their passport, since most have not entered the country through a customs 
post but have crossed on foot over a mountain pass or been put ashore on a 
deserted beach. If they ask a Greek employer for a sworn statement, there 
will be a flood of false testimonials. The law says that residency in Greece 
can be proven by a public document such as "electricity, telephone, mobile 
phone, water bills or insurance policies" or "reports from a Greek school on 
their children or monthly bus tickets."

One might well wonder whether those who drew up the law have ever considered 
the social profile of the average illegal immigrant. How many illegal 
immigrants have electricity, telephone or water bills in their name? How many 
have private health insurance policies or pension plans? How many send their 
children to schools that issue progress reports, or who buy monthly transport 
cards with their photograph and name on them, and then keep them afterward? 
How many of us keep these documents?

The question of income
The law offers another way out; recognition of social security payments "by 
buying social security stamps." At a rough estimate, stamps representing 250 
days' work would cost about 500,000 drachmas, which immigrants are required 
to pay out of their pockets. Has anyone wondered where they will get that 
kind of money? Perhaps by borrowing from - or robbing - a bank?
I don't really believe that this method was devised as a way of covering the 
pension funds' cash flow problem, although it would be helpful. For 100,000 
illegal immigrants, the income would be 50 billion drachmas, no negligible 
amount. However, as the State is not likely to get that much, it appears 
willing to settle for less. All immigrants registering have to pay a flat fee 
of 50,000 drachmas, bringing in at least 5 billion.

Illegal is better?
Illegal immigrants might eventually prefer to remain outside the law. Apart 
from the above-mentioned difficulties and the high cost of legalization, they 
also have to confront the age-old problem of Greek bureaucracy. For example, 
there is the requirement of an official translation of passports. Long queues 
have formed outside the Foreign Ministry's translation offices, even though 
passports more or less follow a standard formula around the world, and are 
written in Latin characters. Why translate when with a little bit of effort, 
any person in authority should be able to understand which data refer to the 
surname, first name, sex, date of birth, expiry date, and even - perhaps with 
a bit more effort - marital status or other personal details. Let them issue 
a residence permit based on data they do understand.

The result is poor indeed; a six-month residence permit that just might, with 
extreme difficulty, be extended. And a registration of data that facilitates 
deportation.
Of course, legislative power is exercised by Parliament and the relevant 
minister is responsible for drawing up the bill. But neither were able to 
avert the mistakes in the law. Perhaps, even at thi s late date, it is time 
to review the situation.