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Illegal immigrants, who were rescued by the Libyan coastguard in the Mediterranean off the Libyan coast, arrive at a naval base in the capital Tripoli on May 26, 2017.
Illegal migration continues to be on the agenda of most countries, especially those in the West. The new administration in the United States led by President Donald Trump has taken a drastic step to deport illegal migrants. Tackling migration was part of his manifesto and it is not surprising that he started with deportations.
Many far-right parties in Europe have had the issue of migration as a key aspect of their campaigns and so was the former United Kingdom’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson who came to power on anti-migration campaign. The UK continues to experience a surge in illegal migration as boats after boats turn up on the English Channel with human cargo. Italy and other European countries are not faring any better with the high number of illegal migrants ending up there. Most of the migrants are from Africa and the Middle East. Two geographical areas that have been plagued by wars, famine and poor governance. It is simplistic, however, to think the three are the main contributors of illegal migration to the West.
Illegal migrants have come from far and wide and have fuelled the trade in human trafficking. Billions of dollars have exchanged hands between the people smugglers and the migrants hoping for a better life in Europe and the US, mainly. But the immigration has not always turned out to be as lucrative for the migrants as they had expected. They soon realise the streets of Europe and the USA are not paved with gold coins. Many of them end up as victims of modern-day slavery as they are exploited by people smugglers they are indebted to or are recruited into the organised criminal underworld. This could range from sexual slavery to working in illicit drug farms.
Modern day slavery
It is estimated that modern day slavery and human trafficking generates $245 billion in profit every year, according to the charity Hope for Justice. It is not surprising, therefore, that human traffickers are digging their heels in despite the thousands of deaths of migrants in transit in lorries and boats.
Another emerging trend that is cause for concern is corruption in the expenditure of billions of dollars by governments in resettling illegal migrants. The UK’s Parliamentary Accounts Committee discovered recently that £100m was wasted in trying to settle migrants, with processes and procedures flouted in buying unfit asylum centres. Many people have unfairly profited from settling illegal migrants in hotels despite the public’s outcry. The asylum process taking a long time adds even more expenses onto the taxpayers.
While asylum systems are corrupted, and people smugglers carry on undeterred, it is the local communities that have the illegal migrants forced on them that bear the brunt of it. “Migrants are taking our jobs” is something you hear both in the US and in Europe. However, many illegal migrants cannot work due to their irregular status. Some countries offer a little stipend to help them with daily expenses. With their dreams dashed, most of the illegal migrants have turned to crime to make ends meet. Reports of rise in crime have become much too common in countries such as the UK where it is reported that shoplifting alone (some violent) stood at 500,000 cases last year. Shift in social dynamics in areas that were once peaceful and secure cannot be under-estimated.
This is not to suggest only migrants commit crime, but its upward trajectory is not a coincidence given the rise in illegal migrants with no other way to earn a living but turn to crime or worse case, organised crime.
Calls to countries affected by illegal migration to close their borders are growing by the day. I now believe this is crucial. Firstly, to stop human suffering and the many deaths of migrants at the hands of the smugglers. Cases of illegal migrants buried alive by people smugglers reneging on their promises are much too common.
Secondly, it is important to close borders to stop insecurity and threat to democracy, especially the border between Kenya and Somalia. The attempt to loosen vetting requirements of Somalis is an attempt to provide identity cards to Somalis regardless of their migration status, which is crucial for voting in Kenya. This is a glaring threat to Kenya’s democracy and security.
Thirdly, closed borders will help the global community to minimise national security threats that are currently being experienced with rise in illegal migration. National security is crucial for international peace and security. If one country is not secure, no country will be.
It is frustrating to see the United Nations take a back seat on the illegal migration chaos. It must focus on the impact it is having on host nations and not just on the benefits to the illegal migrants, who are not protected by the 1951 Refugee Convention.
The world must act now to protect global peace, security and democracy by ending illegal migration.
Ms Guyo is a legal researcher, [email protected], @kdiguyo
