Migration and society

Immigration, Sovereignty, and Humanity: The Difficult Balance Europe Can No Longer Ignore

Immigration is one of the greatest challenges of our time. Behind every person who crosses a border, there is often a story of sacrifice, poverty, violence, or the search for a better future. That reality deserves respect and understanding.

However, respect for human dignity should never be confused with a government's decision to abandon its responsibility to enforce the law. I have always believed in a simple but essential principle: be firm with the facts and respectful toward people. Immigration laws exist to be enforced, not ignored. Compassion should never become permissiveness when the security, order, and sovereignty of a nation are at stake.

Every country has both the right and the responsibility to decide who enters its territory and under what conditions. No responsible government can allow uncontrolled entry without knowing a person's identity, background, intentions, or willingness to respect the laws of the country that welcomes them. A sound immigration system requires registration, verification, effective screening, and continuous oversight. These measures are not directed against people; they are designed to protect society as a whole.

Legal, orderly, and responsible immigration can become a source of economic growth, innovation, and cultural enrichment. Those who arrive with the desire to work, obey the law, integrate into society, and contribute to their new country strengthen the nation that receives them.

However, when irregular immigration exceeds the government's ability to maintain control, the issue is no longer only humanitarian. It also becomes a matter of national security, governance, and institutional stability. The recent migration crisis in Ceuta has once again demonstrated that protecting Europe's external borders is not solely Spain's responsibility but a shared responsibility of the entire European Union.

The reactions of several European governments reflect growing concern about the consequences of uncontrolled irregular immigration. The discussion is no longer limited to humanitarian assistance; it also involves the ability of governments to protect their citizens, preserve public order, and safeguard the integrity of the Schengen Area.

In my opinion, Spain needs a stronger immigration policy. It is not enough to respond to the consequences of irregular migration; governments must prevent them through effective border controls, comprehensive registration systems, and consistent enforcement of immigration laws. A nation's sovereignty begins at its borders. When a country loses control over who enters its territory, it also begins to lose part of its ability to guarantee security, order, and social stability.

From this perspective, I believe that border security policies promoted by leaders such as Donald Trump in the United States, as well as stricter immigration approaches adopted by some European governments, reflect a legitimate concern: strengthening the capacity of the State to manage immigration in a legal, orderly, and secure manner.

Being firm does not mean acting with hatred or rejecting those who seek a better future. It means recognizing that rights are accompanied by responsibilities. Anyone wishing to build a new life in another country should respect its laws, institutions, culture, and the principles that make peaceful coexistence possible.

Solidarity must always go hand in hand with responsibility. A nation cannot surrender control of its borders out of fear of criticism, because doing so places at risk the security and future of its citizens, as well as those immigrants who have chosen the legal path and genuinely seek to integrate into society.

I write these words not only as an observer, but also from my own experience as an immigrant. I understand what it means to start over in a foreign country, to adapt, to work hard, and to respect the laws of the nation that has opened its doors. Precisely because I have lived that experience, I firmly believe that legal, orderly, and responsible immigration benefits both those who arrive seeking a better future and the society that welcomes them.

True humanity does not consist of opening borders without conditions. True humanity means welcoming those who respect the law with dignity while maintaining the determination to protect a nation's sovereignty, public order, and future.

Andrés Vicente Almiña Negrete, MSc.
A.V.A.N.

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