Assessing the role of Maltese MEPs on the issue of irregular migration

Abstract

Migration has been a cornerstone feature in a turbulent period for Europe. The European Union is being blamed by its Member-States for not providing adequate measures to tackle irregular immigrants. Mediterranean EU Member-States are being liable to host many irregular immigrants without having the proper infrastructure. Thus, this research will identify the response of the European Parliament in relation to irregular migration and will analyse to what extent Maltese MEPs are contributing to such issue. After the 2004 enlargement, many Central and Eastern countries joined the European Union. Pre-2004 EU Member States were so worried with a big influx of Eastern and Central nationals, that without knowing, the problem of migration was beyond intra-free movement. After the 2004 enlargement, Central and Eastern countries became more equipped to handle border controls as their periphery was an entry point for irregular immigrants. As newly EU member states became stricter in terms of border controls, migration routes changed. Following a revolutionary wave in North Africa, many immigrants fearing war and persecution, made their way to 'The Great Sea' to seek better living conditions. However, crossing the treacherous and fatal route proved costly as many people lost their lives. The United Nations refugee agency recently declared that 2016 was the deadliest year for refugees crossing to Europe via Central Mediterranean. The agency saw that the Greece Turkish route dramatically fell, making the use of the North-Africa-Italy passage constant. The closure of the so-called Balkan route and the implementation of the European Union Turkey agreement, gave rise to the Mediterranean path. The UN CHR estimated that some 4,176 people have died or gone missing in 'the thick blue line'. Malta has a population of approximately 417,000 people distributed over an area of just 316km2. Malta, a small island in the Mediterranean Sea, is the southernmost EU member state. It's location between North Africa and Italy makes it one of the first points of entry, for immigrants. The flow of irregular migrants has been more or less consistent, roughly that 2,000 a year, reaching a peak in 2008 with 2,773 migrants. With its poor infrastructure, Malta has a mandatory policy of detaining all irregular immigrants for up to 18 months. Its Immigration Act of 1970 makes it legally possible to do so. With numerous NGOs calling this a discriminative policy, Malta is not capable of doing otherwise. As Malta joined the EU in 2004, it sought help from its EU counterparts, but the latter were not so keen in shouldering the burden of relocating immigrants. As migration rose at the top of the EU agenda, it is important to evaluate the role of the EU institutions especially the European Parliament, being directly elected. Thus, this study will assess the role of Maltese MEPs on the issue of irregular migration. While the EU receives its share of criticism for its lack of success in implementing a proper common approach, this study found that Maltese MEPs, through the European Parliament, are being vocal with reference to Malta's situation. Furthermore, they are setting immigration as a priority since it directly impacts the Maltese society. Throughout the dissertation, especially in Chapter 4, the role of Maltese MEPs will be analysed.