Canary Island Faces Massive Influx of Migrants

Spain's

Canary
Island

, which lies 70 miles, off 's southwestern coast, has seen large influx of migrants from neighboring
Africa
. The migrants are coming in boat loads and the President of the
Island
has appealed for help from European leaders in dealing with the problem.

So far this year more than 22,000 of the would-be migrants have been intercepted and sent back. The number is five times more than the total number of intercepts in the year 2005. Authorities have also recovered more than 500 bodies of people in waters, who failed to survive the dangerous journey.

The migrants who are mostly from the poor sub-Saharan nations undertake the journey hoping to enter
Europe
and escape the poverty and deprivation at home. While the world has provided aid to
Africa
for decades, the poorest of the continent have yet to see any difference in their lives. For example, the nation of has life expectancy of 40 years of men and women and the per capita income is just $160. Years for foreign aid and help have failed to make significant difference in the life of the poorest. They see migrating to
Europe
as their best shot to a better. So, hundreds flock to the ports in , or to take that boat ride to

Canary
Island

. The influx of migrants has grown so much over the years that the holding centers are filled to capacity.

This is not the first time
Canary Islands
, whose economy survives in tourism, has seen an influx of African migrants. Migrants have been coming to the
Islands
for a decade or so, but this year's record breaking number of migrants have surprised and concerned authorities in and also in the European Union.

The
European Union
has offered to help the Spanish government deal with this issue. Already Italian, Spanish and Finnish helicopters and patrol boats are patrolling the waters to check the flow of migrants. It is important to see that this influx has wider impact for the European Union as a whole and not only to Spain. Large numbers of migrants use as the door to enter
Europe
and eventually spread around the continent.

For its part, tries to repatriate the migrants, if it has repatriation treaty with their country. If no then the migrants are held for maximum of 40 days and let go with a expulsion order. Most of the time the order is ignored and the migrants remain in the country. Some make it to the Spanish mainland, but because they lack any legal documentation and funds, many end up on the streets.

Failed states in
Africa
are to blame for making their people so desperate that they decide to take such treacherous journey to
Europe
. The security means employed by and the EU will be able to control the flow fro some time but if they want a long term solution, attention must be paid to the long suffering people of
Africa
.

Sources:

http://www.gjsentinel.com/news/content/shared-gen/ap/Europe/Spain_Migrants.html

http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/05/15/news/spain.php
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/5331896.stm