How a small island nation is setting the example for tackling illegal immigration

into Europe.

The country is facing challenges in supporting a major influx of asylum seekers, citing its strained infrastructure and the difficulties in deporting those who don't qualify for asylum.

Following the European Union's ineffective guidance, Malta broke away and developed its own repatriation strategy. As a result, neighboring countries with similar immigration concerns are now taking notes and considering similar approaches.

It's a stark contrast to the United States, the global superpower, where leaders have been unable to address the unresolved issues surrounding border policy for decades, resulting in more than 10 million undocumented immigrants living within its borders.

The Washington Examiner had a conversation with Maltese Speaker of the House Angelo Farrugia and Maltese Ambassador to the U.S. Godfrey Xuereb about how a small country like Malta is able to protect its interests in international affairs.

We have to handle this situation on our own terms," said Farrugia. "We're not getting much help from other European countries, and since there isn't a clear plan for immigration, we're taking things into our own hands.

Malta is nestled in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, situated between the southern tip of Italy and the northern coast of Africa.

In aquatic habitats such as coral reefs and mangrove forests, challenges in water quality, fishing, and trade also play a significant role.

At times, these perilous sea crossings are undertaken by private groups of Africans trying to navigate the waters independently. On other occasions, they are orchestrated by human traffickers who falsely promise paying passengers they will transport them safely across international waters to Europe.

Regularly, smuggling attempts in the Mediterranean area will reach a critical point, prompting a distress call to nearby coast guard units, requesting help and refuge. As a result of its location, Malta is often the country that responds to these calls.

Many of these migrants arrive without identification that proves where they are from. The attempts to reach out to their home countries in order to determine their nationality and facilitate their return are hindered by complex international red tape and a lack of willingness to take them back.

Malta can achieve a quick solution by making it more difficult for refugees to qualify for status while making sure each asylum case gets a thorough and detailed review through a more extensive hearing and appeal process.

If someone comes here seeking asylum due to specific circumstances that match the guidelines set by the 1951 Refugee Convention, which most countries follow the US, then that's a legitimate claim," said Farrugia. "However, those immigrants who cross the border into the US, or in our case enter a country by crossing the Mediterranean, primarily in search of a job or better opportunities, do not have the right to enter the country.

Malta is a very small country in terms of size and population. The entire country is roughly the equivalent of a small city like Philadelphia, covering about 122 square miles. The population of Malta itself is also modest, with just over 550,000 residents, somewhat comparable to the number of people living in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

For a nation of its size, even minimal instances of unlawful entry can be utterly disastrous.

Maltese authorities have clamped down on undocumented migrants living in the country illegally, conducting searches of private homes believed to be harboring those who are fleeing the authorities.

Farrugia claims that the policies are already effective, saying that "human traffickers in North Africa, primarily in Libya, are altering their routes."

The tightening of border access has raised controversies among EU bureaucrats who advocate for immigration, however, proponents argue that there was no alternative but to enforce their own policies given the EU's inaction in addressing the mounting concerns of its bordering countries.

We're still hoping for a unified European approach to handling immigration," Farrugia said in an interview with the Washington Examiner. "Just because asylum seekers pass by certain European countries, such as those in North Africa, and end up in Malta or other Mediterranean islands, doesn't mean the problem is solely theirs to solve. This should be a concern for all of Europe.

Recently, Cyprus was also struggling with this issue. They basically waited for the EU to step in and assist with the problem of unauthorized immigration. This is particularly frustrating now, since so many Lebanese and Palestinians are being forced to flee their area, and when they arrive, Cyprus is inevitably the first country they encounter. As a result, they're facing a significant surge in the number of unauthorized immigrants.

I'm not suggesting it's wrong to help someone in a humanitarian crisis, but the fact that this person comes to your country first is not your responsibility alone. It's a concern that should be addressed by the global community.

Moreover, changes to how the legal system deals with undocumented immigrants have streamlined the process for authorized foreign workers, to the advantage of both foreign laborers and Maltese citizens.

We have a system in place for granting work visas legally," Xuereb said. "These individuals are working officially and paying their taxes.

Fro m a 10-year horizon, Malta has grown by a staggering 25% in population, and the majority of new arrivals hail from developing countries around the world, with the greatest influx coming from Africa, Asia, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh." "They're actually contributing to the system by paying into the social security system, since they're law-abiding citizens who are employed. To be honest, the country relies on them to fill certain economic niches, as there aren't enough local workers to go around.

For Malta, the distinction between a law-abiding, tax-contributing immigrant and an unauthorized immigrant exploiting social services is significant to the long-term viability of its comprehensive social programs.

The welfare system is deeply ingrained in our country. It's not explicitly stated in the constitution, but it's firmly established. Both major political parties agree that we should have a social safety net, and that essential services like healthcare and education should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their background. The idea is that everyone deserves an equal chance, including children from low-income families and those from wealthier ones.

Instead of focusing on people from other countries entering the islands as economic migrants without understanding Maltese culture, the government is concentrating on reconnecting with Maltese citizens who left the island generations ago during times of emigration in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Individuals who leave Malta but still claim a connection to the country are granted dual citizenship and all the rights that come with it.

The main expectation is a personal stake in Malta's future — because the island's long-term survival depends on the active involvement and vigilant efforts of its citizens to fight for their tomorrow.

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Almost 90% of their population votes in general elections, ranking among the highest voting rates globally, despite not having mandatory voting laws.

Farrugia said politics in Malta has a strong religious connotation. "They say their prayers in the morning, they make the sign of the cross, and then they start talking politics."