Wednesday, July 6, 2016

The European Union Must Address Immigration Imbalances Threatening Select Member Nations Economic Future And Stability

 
European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium
 
The European Union is going through a transition period, as Britain recently voted to leave the EU. Without Britain's vast contribution of 350 million British pounds per month (19 billion British pounds per year) and other benefits, which could go in the next two years if the British government completes the process, the European Union will be working with significantly less money and resources. Hence the immense anger last week from select politicians in the European Union. However, it is better to be civil, as the British people have spoken and this is their democratic vote. Britain has been a great partner in the European Union and trade can continue that is beneficial to both parties.

The European Union must not be inflexible, which is what drove millions of British voters away. Concerns were not be heard regarding massive migration from other parts of the European Union and the strain and constraints it has placed on Britain. The United Kingdom’s massive population boom courtesy of immigration overwhelmed the system. Uneven levels of immigration became a massive problem, which sparked the success of the leave vote. As a recommendation to avoid any nation in the European Union buckling or outright collapsing due to this issue, the freedom of movement law needs to be revisited and revised.

The majority of the European Union traffic poured into Britain, namely London, England and overwhelmed their systems. Transportation, schools, hospitals and benefits offices became overwhelmed by the influx of millions of new permanent residents, many of whom are now receiving generous financial benefits and housing, as they came to Britain below the poverty line. Sensing the problem that was brewing, in 2009 the Judiciary Report published the article "Britain's Benefits" and a follow up entitled "Britain's Benefits Part 2" to recommend the benefits system be revised.  

 
London, England (UK)
 
In America immigrants must wait for years before obtaining benefits and still have to meet certain stringent criteria (one must be sick or disabled). Food stamps and modest cash assistance is only granted to healthy people who are well below the poverty line and with children. The majority of these changes were implemented under former U.S. President, Bill Clinton, to ensure people coming to America seek to work, not indefinitely live on benefits.

Last year, the British government attempted to negotiate a rule that would require immigrants live in Britain for 4-years before receiving benefits. This would ensure those coming to Britain intend to work and pay their way, rather than take financial and housing benefits from the state indefinitely. However, negotiations on the matter fell through.

If Britain proceeds with invoking Article 50 of the Lisbon treaty to depart the European Union, a process that will take an estimated 2-years, Britain is going to get another massive influx as a last ditch attempt to enter the country from the EU. Then, upon Britain's completion of the process of leaving the European Union, immigration traffic will largely switch to Germany and France, two other sizeable economies in the EU. Germany and France are wealthy nations. Immigrants tend to migrate to nations that are the most economically prosperous and popular.


Paris, France 
 
To further illustrate the fact the Judiciary Report was correct in its aforementioned 2009 articles on benefits, in April of 2016, the German government began proposing and pushing for new rules regarding limiting immigrants access to receiving benefits upon landing in their nation (see external article excerpt below under STORY SOURCE for further information). It is not that one is being xenophobic. It's simple mathematics. The average nation cannot afford to give millions of immigrants financial and housing benefits indefinitely (many can't give said financial assistance on a short term basis either). It could bankrupt any country.

To compound issues for Germany, it is estimated they took in nearly 1,000,000 migrants last year from places like Syria. No disrespect to Syria, but once again, how will Germany pay for housing, feeding and clothing a record number of migrants and find said non-German speaking masses steady employment (it is easier to find employment in a nation if you speak the national language).
Which brings me back to my point, the immigration levels in the European Union are untenable. It needs to be evenly distributed among the 28 member nations, meaning each country has a quota of how many immigrants it will take per year. One or two nations can't take the bulk of the traffic. That's lopsided and the proverbial boat that is the EU will sink.


Berlin, Germany

For years millions in Europe poured out into Britain, namely London, England, a glamorous and wealth westernized city (and who can blame them, it's a great place to live). However, the European Union must be practical. No nation in this world can reasonably take that type of influx, year after year, many of whom are people who required financial and housing benefits, without damaging their economic structure. France and Germany are now in for the same influx Britain sustained from the EU and it is going to wreak economic havoc on them.

I love and respect France and Germany and don't want them to buckle under the financial pressure. I don't want the EU to collapse at all, but it is in a financially precarious place. Spain, a beautiful country, is having problems with a massive number of foreclosures, creating economic difficulties and stagnation. Greece, another beautiful country, is experiencing significant financial trouble and is seeking billions of dollars in bailout money.

The European Union must reform. Some of the rules need to change to strengthen the entire EU. You can't have key players in the European Union taking a financial walloping, as they are the back bone of the enterprise. If the key pillars crumble, the entire financial structure of the European Union will give way and collapse. Immigration must be handled in a more orderly fashion with even distribution. Proper budgetary constraints must be placed on nations in danger of collapsing, also accompanied by a regular assessment plan issued and implemented on how to get them out of said financial hole.
 
STORY SOURCE 
 
EU migration to Germany 'hits record high'
 
July 2, 2016 - Germany has proposed new legislation to limit EU migrants' access to welfare payments. Immigration to Germany from other European Union countries hit a new record of over 685,000 people last year, led by Romanians, Poles and Bulgarians, Die Welt daily said Saturday, citing official figures.

A total of 685,485 EU citizens arrived in Germany in 2015 while 303,036 left for a net increase of 382,449, the paper reported, saying it had access to data from the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF). Germany's economic success and relatively low unemployment has drawn people from the EU's poorer members in search of work and better lives.

Romanians topped the list of new arrivals in Germany last year with nearly 175,000, followed by Poles with almost 150,000 and Bulgarians with just over 70,000, Die Welt said.

Promises to limit immigration from other EU states played a key role in the campaign for Britain's membership referendum, which delivered a shock victory last week for the "leave" camp. In April, Germany tabled a proposed law to drastically limit EU migrants' access to welfare payments. Die Welt said a total of 4.1 million EU citizens currently live in Germany.
 
Berlin, Germany 
 
 
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