A growing number of immigrants are not being sent back to their home country even though they do not qualify for refugee status or humanitarian protection.
In six years, the number of "illegals" who were not repatriated has reached 2,123, a substantial chunk of the 11,273 asylum seekers to reach Malta during that time.
In the same period, 5,192 were deported but each year the figure has fallen because an increasing number of illegal immigrants are now coming from countries such as Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast and Liberia, to where repatriation is more difficult.
Until a few years ago Malta used to receive a high number of Egyptians who could easily be sent back home because the country is well represented diplomatically. But as the trend shifted, the number of repatriated immigrants dwindled to a mere 181 between January and August this year.
The Ministry of Justice and Home Affairs insists repatriation is a priority, even though it is proving difficult. It is also confident the recently-signed EU Immigration Pact will help by obliging member states to coordinate the repatriation process.
Immigrants who do not come from countries struck by war or poverty tend to lie about their origin in order to avoid being deported. On landing, immigrants are interviewed by the authorities and once their identity and nationality are verified repatriation can begin.
Since immigrants do not carry travel documents, Malta is dependent on the authorities of their home countries to sort out the paperwork. The problem is that many countries do not have embassies or consulates in Malta and are, therefore, not represented diplomatically. When embassies or consulates cooperate with the Maltese authorities and send officials to issue the required travel documents, the failed asylum seekers often refuse to collaborate with the diplomats. There have also been cases where countries simply refuse to take back their countrymen.
Since January 2002, Malta has received 7,851 applications for refugee and humanitarian status. Of these, 3,241 were rejected, 204 were granted refugee status and 3,761 humanitarian protection. The rest of the applications were either withdrawn or are still in process.
From those who were granted protection, 257 were resettled in Europe or America.
The law ensures that after 18 months in detention those who do not receive protection and cannot be repatriated must be released.
Although a number may find their way to mainland Europe illegally, the rest remain in Malta, because they cannot be resettled in Europe or America.
At the moment, over 2,400 immigrants are in open centres and about 2,000 are in detention until their applications are processed.
Many illegal immigrants are stuck in Malta without the documents necessary to be returned to their countries or the chance to be resettled in bigger countries.
Others can choose to be repatriated through EU-sponsored voluntary return programmes that cater for a limited number.
The pilot project initiated by the Foreign Affairs Ministry, called Dar, is one scheme that helps immigrants integrate back into their home countries, start a business and create a better life for themselves. So far this project caters only for a maximum of 50 persons.
Since 2002
Refugee status: 204
Humanitarian protection: 3,761
Repatriated: 5,192
Rejected: 3,241
Resettled in EU: 84
Resettled in US: 173
Total arrivals: 11,273
cperegin@timesofmalta.com