Developed countries in the EU
German has been a preferred destination for asylum seeks. This is an issue that has faced numerous controversies, raising questions over the most appropriate approach to the nations maintains its identity while at the same time attracting skilled workers. Germany is not alone in this dilemma, so are the rest of European powers that have adapted restrictive immigration policies. A look at the existing policies as pushed by the European Union indicates that European countries offer EU citizenship to the EU country members. Individuals from EU member states have a right to work in any country as long as it is an EU member.
There has been a prevailing trend where the influx is towards the most developed from the lesser developed countries in the EU. Poles have found a safe haven in United Kingdom while Romanians opt for Italy. The United States is also grappling with the same problem and this has become highly controversial and has pitted the conservatives against the liberals. The continued influx of illegal immigrants from Mexico and other Latin American countries has continues to raise security concerns and also how to curb such immigration in the future.
A look at these nations indicates that there has been opposition to mass immigration with most pinpointing cultural factors; those that are in support cite immense benefits to be accrued. This has also been a controversial issue in Germany and has led to the government putting into place restrictive measures to curb immigration especially from Eastern Europe countries. There are still raging questions over the best strategy to be adopted in this; a look at the prevailing circumstances and also the factors of globalization however indicates that Germany can adopt a number of approaches.
One strategy lies in multicultural immigration. This is where the nation opens its doors to willing immigrants from across the world and introducing lenient laws in regard to immigration and asylum seekers. A number of countries such as Canada, United States and Australia adopted this approach in the 1980s. This strategy has one major advantage as it will advance Germany with a wide pool of cheap skilled and unskilled labor. Immigrants have a major benefit over the natives as they do not shun the lowly paid jobs and are willing to work even in unfavorable conditions.
With such a workforce, Germany’s economy stands to gain. However, this is an approach that is bound to raise serious political and cultural questions. Widespread studies have pinpointed a link between mass immigration and unemployment. This was the reason behind a number of countries restricting immigrations. (Tony & David 2001). There is also the polarization of the national identity and social evils due to unemployment and reliance on welfare benefits. Germany could embrace the current EU policy that insists on granting universal citizenship to the EU member state countries.
This policy maintains a stringent control of immigration from non EU member states and has proposed a steady decline on illegal immigration and disregard for asylum seekers. Sanctions are also to be imposed on countries that allow immigration from third countries. This neo-conservative approach to immigration has been hailed for a number of reasons. It is seen as eliminating the baggage of immigrants and escaping the woes that arise from uncontrolled immigration. The country can benefit from the wide pool of immigrant labor while still enjoying the advantages of diversity.
However, as has been pointed out, this still raises cultural and political issues. The uncontrolled entrant of the EU citizens and their families polarizes national identity and may end up being an economic baggage as the government will not be able the skills being possessed by the immigrants. Unemployment hence is likely to crop up and the woes that are brought up by massive immigration will still persist though at controlled levels (Anthony, 2002). The best approach towards the issue of immigration will be to allow entry into Germany on a needs-basis only.
This means that asylum seekers and refugees are to be limited to bare necessity; family reunion is to be discouraged and only those with the required skills should be allowed to immigrate. This approach has the benefit of curbing immigration while ensuring that the country is reaping the benefits of skilled immigrants. The problem of unemployment is unlikely to arise as the immigrants will be channeled in the sectors and industries that are experiencing shortages. The current practice of allowing the immigration of computer programmers from India would be step in the right direction.
This is a method that has been applied in a number of Scandinavian nations that have set up quota systems in their immigration policies (Sandra & Emek, 2003). The immigration policies of the Scandinavian countries have been a point of envy by most European nations. These countries have been able to balance political sentiments arising from home and also the reaping from the benefits of needs basis immigration. This is based on the reality that a majority of the Germans population is aging and there is a need to create a pool of skilled labor, immigrants come in to fill this gap (Simon, 2004).
Indeed the question of immigration has continued to draw controversy. Germany is currently grappling with the current political interest that the issue has aroused. Though there are a variety of strategies that can be adopted, there is a need to control immigration and only allow immigrants possessing specific needed skills to immigrate. This approach however stands to draw criticism from the international humanitarian community. The United Nations has already voiced its criticism of the EU approach that limits the number of refugees and asylum seekers.
The United Nations has over the years maintained on the essence of developed nations providing asylum to individuals facing security threats in their countries. This approach is also likely to put Germany into loggerheads with the rest of the EU members as it contravenes the provisions of EU citizenship. At home though, this strategy is likely to be widely embraced as it is in line with the closely held ideal of maintaining a national identity and will not polarize the job market to the disfavor of the natives.
References Anthony M. M. (2002) West European immigration and immigrant policy in the new century. Greenwood Publishing Group. Sandra L. & Emek M. U. (2003) Migration and the externalities of European integration. Lexington Books. Simon G. (2004). The politics of exclusion: institutions and immigration policy in contemporary Germany. Manchester University Press. Tony B. , David C. (2001). Culture in Australia: policies, publics and programs. Cambridge University PressSample Essay of RushEssay.com