Regularization: dismantling arguments
Numerous articles, statements, and social media tweets in recent weeks have highlighted the Balearic Islands Government's stance on the extraordinary regularization process announced by the central government, describing it as "worrying," an "invitation to disorder," or a "factor that weakens the rule of law." With these brief remarks, EAPN aims to dismantle the arguments being used to oppose a measure that, as we have already stated, we consider fair and necessary.
Those who brandish the figures of people who have arrived on the Balearic coast irregularly in recent years conveniently ignore two issues: firstly, that the vast majority of people who are currently in an irregular situation have entered through airports; secondly, that the same security forces they mention so much admit that the bulk of those who arrive by boat do not remain in the Islands 48 or 72 hours later (either because they continue their migratory journey, or because they are transferred to different resources on the Peninsula).
Unfortunately, some of the mantras that, despite being false, are finding increasingly fertile ground to grow are being repeated: firstly, the famous 'pull factor', which is easily refuted with a simple reading of the decree (which only affects those who can prove five months of residence and, moreover, presents a very short period to complete the process); secondly, the benefits to the mafias that traffic in human beings, when the literature on routes indicates that these adapt mainly to controls at origin and surveillance on the routes rather than to regularizations (although one must be very vigilant to prevent certain individuals from taking advantage and offering appointments to people who will begin the process).
Another mantra is the 'reward for illegals', for those who do things wrong, a thesis that curiously only appears when we talk about poor migrants (not tax evaders or rural constructions); and, of course, the inevitable correlation between insecurity and immigration (disproven by official figures, which indicate a stabilization of crimes despite the sharp increase in the migrant population).
It has also been repeated far too often that regularization will lead to greater population pressure and an overload of public services, forgetting that the people who will benefit already live here (not 'among us,' because they are us), and that obtaining a residence permit only opens the door for them to escape situations of clandestinity, exclusion, and even exploitation. Could it be that, despite denying that their discourse is ideological, what they really want is to maintain a cheap and submissive workforce, without any possibility of prospering or developing a dignified life? Yes, what the Government defends is also ideology, and at EAPN we will always defend the ideology that puts people's rights before any other consideration.
And despite our complete disagreement with their position, we will ultimately agree with them on one point: integration cannot be decreed. True, a piece of paper alone is not enough to guarantee it, but without that paper, it is impossible to achieve. In other words, without regular immigration status, one cannot work (in the formal job market, that is), one cannot contribute to social security (although taxes, such as VAT, are paid), one cannot access decent housing (try renting an apartment without a payslip), and, ultimately, one cannot exercise fundamental rights.
Therefore, this decree is welcome, as it will benefit both those who can regularize their immigration status and society as a whole. However, we must continue to demand the strengthening of public services, not only to ensure that the process reaches everyone who is entitled to it, but also to reinforce their role as guarantors of equal opportunities and to continue making progress towards the eradication of poverty and social exclusion.