European Policy Makers Need to Understand the Immigrant Before Making an Immigration Policy

By Peter Bill Kisitu

Two decades ago, becoming an engineer or a doctor was life’s ambition for many African youngsters. Today however, becoming a migrant is a popular dream. Stories from the media and relatives abroad serve to reinforce this dream. It is for this reason that the European Union and sending countries need to invest considerable effort in changing this mindset right from an early age.

This dream is fuelled by the prospect of economic advancement and adventure. Contrary to popular belief in the west, most African immigrants in the EU are not the poorest in their countries of origin as the journey requires a substantial investment by sub-Saharan African standards. The fee normally ranges from US dollars 1000 to 10,000 depending on mode of transport and the smuggler’s fees.

A holistic approach that seeks to understand the motivations of an individual’s desire to travel abroad as well as an examination of alternative ways of meeting such objectives will increase the knowledge available to European policy makers and how to better manage migration. Although no agreement has been reached on the best way to deal with the migration challenges, consensus is emerging that it is difficult to stop it. Therefore, together with international law and agreements, a study of the migrant may have to take center stage in managing south-north migration.

The migrant is taken care of only in the return policy where, as a way of encouraging voluntary return, the immigrant in illegal circumstances is granted a long term multi entry visa and is promised facilitation if they want to come back and work in the former host country. This might serve as the new pull factor for others who want to enjoy the same privileges as those who have previously broken the law. Hence the need to involve the applicant at the country of origin will be greater when this European Commission policy comes into force.

There are more Africans in the EU today than during the slave trade era. During slavery times, Africans were forcefully uprooted from their villages, this time however, they are coming voluntarily and are willing to be enslaved by unscrupulous business owners. In most EU countries, the issue was first left to the media who did the reporting in a populist way causing disquiet among the population and giving ammunition to far right parties like the Vlaams Beerlang of Belgium and Front National of France.

Globalization of the media is another area that needs further examination. Images transmitted from the destination countries by the global media are a source of information for migrants and the relaxed lifestyle and luxuries are a sure magnet. What has not been discussed under the media is; what will be the impact on South-North migration if the dangers of illegal migration were made known to the applicants early enough? These dangers include drowning, deportation, economic and sexual exploitation, social and economic exclusion in the destination countries.

Intergovernmental conferences such as the Tripoli Summit (2006), Rabat Declaration(2006) and the Berne Initiative (2002); have been held between the EU and the sending countries but no single mention is made on the inclusion of the migrant in the debate yet influencing his behaviour may hold the key to defeating illegal immigration.