1. Integration of Third Country Nationals - Challenges Katrine Camilleri JRS Malta

2. Life in a transit country: midway to nowhere  “Malta is like a bus station, we can’t stay, we have to go. Where?... We don’t know where we are and where we belong to and where we go… But what’s in the future?! I don’t know! We are in the middle of nowhere.”  In Malta only survival is allowed and this perhaps might be a continuous reminder of all that was lost and of all they could have had.  The authorities concerned seem to be taken up with the refugee’s survival and fail to address the rest of the refugee’s well being. Sammut, 1999

3. Immigrants & integration: defining the class  Integration - immigrants in Malta with permission and some level of permanence.  This excludes, e.g.: - tourists; - rejected asylum seekers with or without a temporary visa; (basic needs) - asylum seekers – to some extent. (Reception Directive)

4.  Those who have a right to be here, at least temporarily, for: – protection-related reasons e.g. refugees, people with subsidiary protection, risk of HR violations – other reasons e.g. people married to Maltese nationals  Those granted permission to be here for a specific reason e.g. employment, humanitarian reasons, studies

5. Malta: still a bus station?  Till EU accession: - a transit country - stepping stone to Europe  Today: - not a final destination for most - a place where people may have to rather than choose to stay – Dublin regulations - for most, still not home

6. Why?  Migrants’ perceptions & desires  Societal perception of immigration Integration “relates to both the conditions for actual participation in all aspects of life in the country of durable asylum as well as to refugees’ own perception of acceptance and membership in the host society” “…even more disturbing is the strain which this situation is putting on our tradition of hospitality and friendliness.” Dr Lawrence Gonzi Public discourse – protectionist:  Malta – society under threat;  Immigrants – threat to national security, cultural homogeneity, social cohesion…. Predominant image – lifeboat  Law and policies on reception & integration

7. Reception: law & policy  Impact of reception policies “from a psychological perspective, [integration] often starts at the time of arrival in the country… and is conclude when the refugee becomes an active member of that society from a legal, economic and cultural perspective”. Reception policy is largely a policy of exclusion Long-term detention criminalises migrants and hinders integration in the long term Encourages perception of lack of acceptance by host society Fosters dependence

8. Integration: law & policy  Integration policy Recent developments in this area have numerous positive aspects Focus on people arriving by boat in an irregular manner - only part of the picture Scope & quality of protection provided are not line with our obligations under EU law (Qualification & Reception Directives) Still have not moved beyond ensuring basic survival – emphasis on limited financial assistance and accommodation Certain policy choices, e.g. choice to resort to tent accommodation or to discriminate against Dublin returnees, cannot but be questioned

9. Challenges  To adopt laws & policies that: Are in line with our obligations under EU law Encourage self-determination & sustainable self- sufficiency  To provide the structures & services necessary to facilitate integration  To develop and inclusive and welcoming society by upholding values of human rights and solidarity and avoiding all discourse that incites fear and mistrust of migrants