Immigrants

Before I do anything else, let me fist define the two key words used in this paper:

Segregate: “To set apart or separate.”
Immigrant: “A person who immigrates into a country.”

Fact: “at least 185 million people worldwide currently live outside their countries of birth, up from 80 million three decades ago.” (United Nations, 2002) Obviously, there has been an uprise in migration the last decades.

But what happens with the immigrants?

One could assume that when immigrants enter a new country they quickly establish themselves as part of that country’s population. One could assume that they learn the language and culture; make new friends; support themselves through employment, pay taxes, etc, etc.

However, things are not always like that. Many individuals who migrate do not establish themselves as ordinary residents. For one reason or the other, they do not learn language and culture, make no friends (except other migrants), do not work, and do not pay any taxes. These people take no part in the general society and the society does not take part in them. They are outcasts in their new country.

They are segregated.

Segregation is a growing social concern. A great number of immigrants are not integrated into their new societies. Especially short-term migrants and temporary refugees, who may feel uncomfortable acclimating to a new language and culture due to the fact that they may leave the country at any given time, may be discouraged to unite with the rest of the population.

But other immigrants who want to fuse with the society and who want to engage in employment are segregated. Why is this?

One of the main causes of the problem – with especially refugees, asylees, and other displaced individuals – is that authorities often cluster these people together in certain areas where there are virtually no other people except other immigrants. By doing this, they create communities which only constitutes of migrated people. The main reasons for this are because: 1) there are immigrants living there already, and 2) the local population does not want to live there.

Another cause of the problem is that incoming migrants tend to seek where their likes are; they want to be close to family, friends, countrymen, and other immigrants. Not strangely do these people, who often are in deep distress and anxiety, want to be close to what they know best. This can make them seek to live in mentioned places – even though they could find place to live in other, less segregated areas.

There are, in my view, four distinct effects of the problem with segregation: immigrants are not mixing with the rest of society; they do not learn the new language and reject local customs; they are often unemployed; and welfare and social security tend to restrict integration.

One direct effect of the problem with segregation is obviously that immigrants do not mix with other people. In fact: in many cities around Europe are there entire suburbs where the residents consist, more or less, entirely of migrated people (for example, as with Sweden’s third largest city Malmö). This results in that they have limited or none contact with the rest of the society.

For various reasons are migrants sometimes negative towards learning new languages and reject local customs and traditions. Again, temporary refugees tend to hold this attitude. Also, many elderly people have neither the energy nor mental capacity to learn a new language. The youth and second generation immigrants, on the other hand, seems to have no problem in learning languages and absorbing local customs.

Large percentages of immigrant groups are often unemployed. This is usually due to the fact that they cannot communicate properly. Only a small percentage of migrants are typically part of any given country’s working force. For example, of Sweden’s then 499,900 foreign-born population were only a mere 5.1% employed and part of the working force (1998).

But there are, of course, also individuals who can communicate very well but cannot find employment. Hello discrimination. Now, people who are part of the local population and migrants rarely communicate. The two groups tend to distance each other and this often results in negative stereotyping – which discourages any contact. So there is very little contact between, for example, employers and applicants.

The direct consequence of this is often discrimination of job seeking immigrants. This creates a big problem because unemployment costs a lot of recourses and money which the society could well use on better things, such as, for instance, medical service and research for a cure to cancer and AIDS.

Those immigrants who cannot find employment for whatever reason have to survive on welfare and social security. The monthly check covers the basic needs and puts food on the table - unfortunately can it cause problems as well. Ironically can this safety net provided by the society actually restrict integration into the society. It is sad that this protection mechanism actually makes some individuals feeling too comfortable.

It is no secret that welfare and social security systems around the world are sometimes abused. As a result of having “everything” provided, it is easy to not engage in employment seeking activities and support oneself – if the government is supporting you anyway.

The problem of segregation is a severe one; but there are solutions.

In my opinion is it not necessarily an easy task but quite possible to hinder further segregation. I propose the following solutions: integrate immigrants in non-migrant areas; encourage them to learn the language and customs; provide employment opportunities; and minimize welfare and social security.

If we are to escape the problem of segregation we have to start living together. Immigrants and the local population have to be integrated into one society. Authorities should not cluster individuals from different nations and cultures together just because they are immigrants: they should be incorporated into the general society and live with the rest of the population.

Migrants should be encouraged (maybe even coerced) to learn the new country’s language and customs they reside in – this is common sense. Temporary refugees and short-term migrants, however, may be excluded since they may not stay for long.

The government should provide employment opportunities. But both the public and the private sector should be responsible for integrating immigrants into the work force.

Finally, the welfare and social security should be adjusted downwards. This is the only way of escaping “free riders” and content people from cheating the system. If risking to be living on absolute minimum – anybody in their right mind would surely actively seek jobs. Nobody wants to be poor. However, somebody have to employ them as well. Because employer fees are very high in some countries (for instance in Sweden) so it is ultimately up to the government to lead the way.

In conclusion, segregation is a growing social concern. If the majority of immigrants continue to be unemployed and require welfare and social security, many economies can shiver. Remember that unemployed people requires a lot recourses. But there is light in the end of the tunnel. My provided examples are only a few examples: I am sure there are many more.

I would like to end this paper with a quote from the Secretary-General of the United Nations:

“The vast majority of immigrants are industrious, courageous, and determined. They don't want a free ride. They want a fair opportunity for themselves and their families. They are not criminals or terrorists. They are law-abiding. They don't want to live apart. They want to integrate, while retaining their identity.” (Kofi A. Annan)