Large Scale Immigration to Spain - Term Paper Example

Running head: Spain Spain Spain has recently witnessed large-scale immigration from other countries for the first time in the modern era. Asper the statistics released by the government more than 4 million people staying in Spain at present are immigrants, especially from countries like Morocco, Ecuador, Romania, Columbia, Britain, Germany etc. This paper briefly analyses the migration/immigration issues and the different religions and ethnic groups in Spain Introduction Spain has the second highest immigration rates in European countries after Cyprus and second highest net migration in the world after US. Lots of reasons can be connected to the large scale migration to Spain like; geographical position, large sized economy, barrier less borders, opportunities in agricultural and industrial sectors in Spain etc. “Immigration became part of the Spanish governments agenda in 1985, but it was not until the mid-1990s that it became a matter of vital importance to political elites and in the eyes of the public” (Pérez) Spain has not imposed much restrictions on migration or immigration since they believed that for the true integration of European Union (EU) it is necessary for the European people to migrate anywhere in the European countries. An overview of migration/immigration in Spain “The cross-sectional nature of immigration has meant that various ministries (education, labour, health and social services, etc.) have drawn up specific regulations for the access of these groups to education, employment, health and accommodation. Of these projects, the most important is the Action Plan on Social Inclusion (2001-2003, 2003-2005, 2005-2006, 2006-2008) which stresses the need to aid the socio-professional integration of immigrant groups, especially women, who are often at a disadvantage” (Spain-cultural policy profile) Different cultures and ethnic groups have migrated to Spain because of the easy legal procedures for migration in Spain. The difference is culture between the migrant group and Spanish community often creates problems in Spain. The migrant community needs to study the Spanish languages in order to interact more freely in Spain’s main stream social life and culture. “There has always existed some differentiated groups, for example the agotes in Navarra or the vaqueiros de alzada in Asturias, however the only clearly traditional ethnic minority are the Gypsies, who seemed to have arrived in Spain at the end of Middle Ages” (Ethnic Minorities) Action Plan on Social Inclusion (2001-2003, 2003-2005, 2005-2006, 2006-2008) stresses the need to improve the quality of life in the gypsy community, which is threatened by social exclusion (Spain-cultural policy profile) Gypsy community is one of the weakest communities in Spain as far as the levels of education and living standards are considered. The main problem of Gypsy community is their unwillingness to learn Spanish culture. They wanted to stay as a special segment in Spanish culture which actually retards their social, cultural and economic development in Spain. They are not keen in learning the Spanish language which is essential for working smoothly in the employment sectors. Recent migration has resulted in the formation of other ethnic minority groups in Spain and the statistics are still unknown. European has not much problems in Spain as far as migration is concerned because of their cultural closeness with the Spanish people. But the immigrants from Asian and African communities may find some difficulties in adjusting with the Spanish life and culture. The level of hostility towards foreign immigrants is one of the lowest in Spain compared to other European countries. The tables given below provide a brief idea about immigration rates in Spain from 1995 to 2000. Table 1: Evolution of the foreign residents 1995-2000 by continent of origin CONTINENT 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 Europe 255,702 274,081 289,084 330,528 353,556 361,437 Americas 108,931 121,268 126,959 147,200 166,709 199,964 Africa 95,725 98,820 142,816 179,487 213,012 261,385 Asia 38,221 43,471 49,110 60,714 66,340 71,015 Oceania 859 929 888 1,023 1,013 902 Stateless and others 335 415 956 695 699 1,017 TOTAL 499,773 538,084 509,813 719,647 801,320 895,720 Source: Anuario de Extranjería 2000, Ministry of Interior. (Pérez) Table 2: Foreign population in Spain Year Foreign Residents Percent Increase 1995 499,773 8.2 1996 538,984 7.4 1997 609,813 13.40 1998 719,647 18.01 1999 801,329 11.35 2000 895,720 11.78 2001 1,109,060 23.81 Source: Balance 2001 from the Delegación del Gobierno para la Extranjería y la Inmigración, (DGEI), Ministry of Interior. (Pérez) Food security is an important topic as far as the Spanish government is concerned. Government is well aware about the fact that the government leadership is essential for ensuring food to all the residents in Spain. Spanish Government has implemented a twin track approach to ensure food to all; responding to emergency needs and addressing structural impediments at the same time. (HIGH LEVEL MEETING ON FOOD SECURITY FOR ALL) Right to food is accepted as a basic right in Spain irrespective of the difference in gender, culture, or community of the people in Spain. Women are treated well in Spanish culture with equal status with their counterpart men. In 1994, women holding senior positions in the central government represented 12.9% which is higher by 5 points compared to 1990 and 8 points higher compared to 1985. In the 1986-1993 legislatures, women ministers accounted for 18.8%: out of 16 ministerial positions, 3 were held by women. Today, there are four women ministers” The 1978 constitution of Spain has given equal right to all Spanish people irrespective of their gender or religion. As per this constitution The Spanish are equal in the eyes of the law, and no discrimination by birth, race, sex, religion, opinion or any other condition or circumstance, private or social, can prevail (Pardell) Impact of religion on migration in Spain Spain’s working plan should be a project of intercultural coexistence that introduces the religion as a crucial factor of the culture. Therefore, immigration is also religious immigration and it brings into Spain’s society many cases of conflicts between the immigrant’s conscience and law. (MARTINEZ) The cultural differences of migrants often create problems in Spain. For example, Spain’s constitution does not allow more than one wife to a male. But most of the muslim immigrants have more than one wife and it often creates family, legal and social problems in Spain. Christianity is the major religion in Spain which advocates single wife system. The immigrants often violates such laws in Spain which often result in conflicts between religions in Spain. Demographic balance is one of the important aspects as far as population is concerned in any country. The unlimited immigration may result in imbalances in Spain’s demography and hence the Spanish government at present thinking in terms of restricting the immigration especially after the incident of 9/11, 2001 world trade centre terrorist attack. Conclusions Spain is one of the best immigrant friendly countries in the world. It encourages immigration and their rules seem to be much liberal compared to other European countries as far as Immigration/migration is concerned. Spanish government ensures food security to all and they are treating both the genders equally. Aggressions and hostility towards immigrants is comparatively small in Spain. The unwillingness of immigrant communities to obey the Spanish laws often creates problems in Spain. References 1. Pérez Nieves Ortega, 2003, Spain: Forging an Immigration Policy, Retrieved on July 8, 2009 from 2. Spain-cultural policy profile, 2009, Retrieved on July 8, 2009 from 3. Ethnic Minorities, Retrieved on July 8, 2009 from 4. Pardell Agnès, 1997, WOMEN AND POLITICS IN SPAIN, Retrieved on July 8, 2009 from 5. HIGH LEVEL MEETING ON FOOD SECURITY FOR ALL Madrid (Spain) 26­ 27 January, 2009, Retrieved on July 8, 2009 6. MARTINEZ Irene BRIONES, 2007, The Religious Immigration in Spain, Retrieved on July 8, 2009 Read More