Immigration

Abdul Kareem Diab

What I know about immigration is that it is linked with humanity. In addition it this, it associated with the search for water and food.

Nowadays, a considerable percentage of people who emigrate from their countries are just seeking a safe place. Many people seek other countries, especially in the young age group, where there is opportunity for work, and investment. A considerable number of people, especially those in family groups, escape from their original homes to work, and some times due to poverty.

A small number live in another area just to change their lifestyle or even to explore different parts of the world, seeking an astonishing and spectacular area.

Nowadays immigration is becoming day-by-day more difficult with more requirements. For one reason or other they are demanding more information and more original documents. In addition to these documents they don’t look at your age or at your qualifications or your job. They behave like someone who is precious, or even obsessive.

Moreover, the tragic thing facing us is a lot of people die while they are emigrating overseas from developing to developed countries as illegal emigrants. These accidents happened frequently between North Africa and Southern Europe in the Mediterranean Sea, and between Australia and Southeast Asia, in old, overcrowded boats. It is thought that they usually travel at night.

Do you know that millions of people have emigrated from Iraq during the last five years due to war and the foreign military occupation of Iraq in the name of freedom (but not, of course, oil)? Moreover, emigration has continued due to interior conflicts, motivated by the seeking of power under the name of democracy and religion. Many years before, more concisely in the fifties, immigration to Iraq was attractive, and allowed high opportunities for work and safety, and the opportunity to build a new life. However, these days there is less encouragement.

The complexity of life, the increase of the terrorism phenomenon and many other causes prevent many developed countries from allowing people from developing countries to migrate to them.

New Zealand, even now, needs immigrants to come work and live here. However it largely admits just skilled people, under a strict policy with a long period of assessment. A considerable number of immigrants are still coming, holding with them sufficient funds to live in New Zealand and establish businesses. Because of this long lasting process and because New Zealand is located away from the centre of the world, people who came are usually from the Pacific and South East Asia. They are usually young, healthy, and single, and some of them are married, with one or no children.

Finally each country, and New Zealand is one of them, has reasons to establish a policy and requirements for foreigners who enter, especially those from high risk, unstable countries.