The first condition for good governance is to understand reality well, without self-deception or ideological prejudices. Reality, like gravity, cannot be negotiated.
European demography, especially Spanish and even more so Catalan, is facing significant challenges. The causes are complex, but the consequences are clear: falling productivity, ageing of the population and increasing socio-health needs.
Although the majority of immigrants, whether legal or not, do not commit crimes and prefer to work in the underground economy rather than steal, a significant portion do, and the criminal justice system is not always able to deal with this properly. Furthermore, we cannot ignore the fact that some immigrants arrive with the intention of illegally occupying the property of others. Recognizing this problem is essential to effectively addressing it.
The third reality, no less important, is that European states are struggling to act with the same firmness against illegal immigration that they showed in supporting Ukraine against the Russian invasion. Furthermore, the Spanish government is focusing on the distribution of unaccompanied minors among the autonomous communities (responsibility of public administrations), but is not tackling the much larger entry of adult illegal immigrants.
We must go beyond issuing expulsion orders. We need a European and Spanish policy that obliges countries of origin to accept returns, either through diplomatic agreements or through stricter measures.
The idea of a “return ticket” may seem good, but it is not effective without a European policy that gives Spain the means to manage illegal immigration from countries of origin.
The problem of illegal immigration also has a significant economic impact. Inadequate management of this phenomenon can increase the costs of public services, such as health and education, and generate tensions in the labor market. In addition, the lack of adequate integration can lead to a decrease in productivity and an increase in the underground economy, which harms tax collection and the country’s economic development.
In short, we must differentiate between immigrants who come to contribute and those who come to commit crimes and not generalize. It is essential to help countries facing serious economic, social or political problems to tackle the causes of immigration.
Agustin Parra He is an economist at the College of Economists of Catalonia and a PP deputy in the Barcelona Congress.
