Spanish push for tougher immigrant laws

By Al Goodman
CNN Madrid Correspondent

MADRID, Spain -- Spain's ruling conservative government is planning to introduce tougher immigration laws to reduce the number of north Africans landing illegally in the south of the country.

The bill, to be debated by parliament after the summer recess, will withdraw certain civil rights currently granted to foreigners.

The government said the current law, passed by opposition parties last December, was too soft and has led to an increase in the number of illegal immigrants trying to enter the country.

The legislation would take effect from January next year and would authorise the expulsion of immigrants refused permission to stay in Spain.

Under the proposed immigration law, migrants -- with or without residency papers -- would still be entitled to receive medical care and education, but those without residency papers would be banned from attending demonstrations, joining unions or striking.

GRAPHIC Spain seeks immigration balance    VIDEO Correspondent Al Goodman reports on the growing sentiment against illegal immigration in Spain Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)

More than 400,000 immigrants, or one percent of Spain's population, have sufficient legal standing to be enrolled in the national health care plan. But the government estimates at least 100,000 more may be in hiding.

The 6,958 people caught trying to enter the country so far this year already represents an increase of 27 percent on last year's total for the whole year.

Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar is confident his party's comfortable majority in the legislature will ensure the bill is approved by Congress.

However, Joaquín Almunia, leader of the opposition Socialist Party, condemned the latest proposal and said his party would try to oppose its progress through the legislature.

"The new immigration law is an attack on consensus," said Almunia.

Many immigrants pay thousands of dollars to illegal groups promising to take them safely to Spain.

The risk of capture, or even death, can be high but despite this and a $100 million police effort to deter the trafficking in illegal migrants, the flow across the Straits of Gibraltar is unabated.

Recent riots in southern Spain have highlighted the culture clash, even though many employers argue that Spaniards do not want the low-paying, arduous jobs in farming and construction that immigrants often accept.

The Spanish government has acknowledged that their bill reflects an issue of broader European concern.

"We're ready to deal with one of the most important issues facing Spain and other European governments in the coming years. But from a position of responsibility, not of hypocrisy," said economy minister Rodrigo Rato.

Fifty eight Chinese were recently discovered suffocated in the back of a lorry in the British port of Dover recently.

In Hungary last week, scores of fatalities were narrowly avoided when 46 Asians and Africans were found close to suffocation in the back of a lorry. In a separate incident, 43 illegal immigrants were recently found in a van near Budapest.

Another 24 Chinese immigrants were caught last Thursday on the Yugoslav border when travelling by foot, while Dutch police said on Friday they had detained 23 Chinese illegal immigrants who were attempting to enter Britain hidden in the back of a van.

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