The ugliness that is the reality of refugees trying to land ashore in Europe was highlighted this week by the death of hundreds of migrants who died after the fire they lit to get the attentions of fishing boats was ignored and everyone on the boat drowned. That incident also highlighted how laws that persecute fisherman from taking in immigrants caused the fishing boats at sea to ignore the migrants' pleas.
Hundreds of bodies are already lined up on the coast of Lampedusa, the island that everyone is trying to reach, because it is the closest point between Italy and the African coast. However, the straits have been known from time immemorial as one of the most treacherous in the Mediterranean.
Hundreds more are still entombed in the sea, waiting to be found.
But as immigration fosters more and more anger and resentment in the countries of the European Union, and many Romas are being deported because of their lack of 'integration' into European society, EU countries are happily doling out visas to those foreigners that are wealthy. Among such rich immigrants are Chinese, Arab, Russians and so forth.
If they can meet the asking price, anyone can become a legal resident.
For those, however, who are fleeing civil war, or famine, or persecution, obtaining a visa is nearly impossible.
The residence permit program of the EU attracts thousands. One of the places many are trying to immigrate to is Riga, in Latvia, since theirs is the most 'economic' investment for visa program. Most people do not stay, but just want residency as a springboard to a better or wealthier country.
The price for residency in Latvia is 71,000 Euro, almost 100,000 US dollars. That will gain the wealthy applier a 5 year stay. And with that residency the gates to the rest of Europe are swung wide open.
Many countries in financial trouble are more than happy to profit in this residency trade. This activity runs contrary to EU's asylum and immigration laws, since the allotted number of residencies are doled out to wealthy immigrants, and leave those in dire need to escape their fate without the hope of a visa.
In fact, most refugees are being stonewalled and briskly blocked from obtaining visas.
Each country in Europe has different limits. Spain just passed its new limit: nearly 700,000 dollars needed in investment to secure a residency permit.
The investment usually comes in the form of a real estate investment.
The only country that so far is barring almost anyone from coming to their shores, is Hungary, which has seen a return to a very far right rule, reminiscent of the pre-World WAr II days. However, even Hungary has a plan: an investment of 325,000 dollars in Hungarian bonds, plus and additional 55,000 in some form of 'bribe' to a Hungarian company.
But there is not indication that such practices will cease soon: Latvia has gained almost 1 bilion dollar since they have instituted the Visa for investment program. That kind of money is too good to pass up.
Source : Spiegel / 10.08.13
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