Spaniards Disappointed with Government on Immigration

Many adults in Spain believe their federal administration has dealt improperly with recent problems related to immigration, according to a poll by Instituto Opina released by Cadena Ser. 50.5 per cent of respondents disapprove of the way the government approached the crisis of African immigrants.

Since late September, thousands of African immigrants have tried to cross the boundaries that separate the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla from Morocco. Close to 600 people made their way to Spanish territory, but at least 12 lost their lives in the process. The situation prompted the Spanish government to raise the existing barrier to more than six metres.

According to published reports, hundreds of African immigrants have been detained and/or deported by Moroccan authorities. 64.9 per cent of Spanish respondents think their government should put more pressure on Morocco to guarantee the humane treatment of migrants.

Earlier this month, European Union (EU) commissioner Franco Frattini said 20,000 Africans "are waiting in Algeria to begin their journey to Ceuta and Melilla" while "another 10,000 are already in Morocco."

In December 2004, the spanish government approved the regularization law. More than 690,000 foreign residents have filed their paperwork to remain in Spain legally.

Polling Data

Do you approve or disapprove of the way the government has dealt with the crisis of African immigrants?

Approve


29.9%

Disapprove


50.5%

Not sure


16.9%

No reply


2.7%

Do you think the Spanish government has put sufficient pressure on the Moroccan government to guarantee the humane treatment of migrants?

Yes


21.1%

No


64.9%

Not sure


11.9%

No reply


2.1%

Source: Instituto Opina / Cadena Ser
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,000 Spanish adults, conducted on Oct. 14, 2005. Margin of error is 3.1 per cent.