Should migrants be given citizenship?

[Irlandos]

For years Greek citizenship was only for Greeks. Naturalisation was difficult and could be obtained only through a Greek father or grandfather who had actually been a national. Documents showing the applicant's Orthodox faith had to be provided.

The rules relaxed a bit over the years. Is it time to synchronise them with the modern times? Should we make it like the Americans (birth = citizenship)? Should we grant it after an interview to at least prove the applicant feels like a Greek?

What is your opinion on the issue?

[Genome]

I voted not sure because I am ... not sure. If I'd have to vote anything else I'd have voted for the "criteria" option. But strong criteria. An interview proves little to nothing. I'd see among other things a language test, an oath to "prove" loyalty to the Greek flag and nation and maybe the requirement of having lived in Greece for a while and/or having at least a Greek ancestor. These would be some of the things I'd include.

Basically my opinion is that giving Greek people the citizenship etc is not a bad thing per se... the real problem lies in how many people you let in... with an aging population such as Greece's, it'd seem logical to attract people from other countries to yours, but who or what is entering the borders and with which intentions?

I'm getting sidetracked but I feel the subjects are strongly related and are applicable not only to Greece but to most European (aging but relatively rich) countries...

[athinaios]

I think the key would be how the imms and those of different ethnicity are intergrated into Greek society. Maintaining gettos, excluding those who want to be full citizens isn't a long-term good idea.

[haydar]

The argument is ''to give citizenship'' or ''to give permission to live and work at the same rights with citizens'' If it's first one i don't think there are people who is crazy to change their nationality, if they don't get profit, at this century. People change their nationality even not to pay high costs for their passports here now.

I have understood that when the countries' self confident is low they afraid more to give citizenship. At this century its mostly related not to be powerful/rich/and to have welfare in the country which i can understand little bit, but i cant find this very clever at the same time. Better one is to accept people who can add something to the country when we look from the country' profit. When we look from humanity side who got the roots in the country and legally paying his/her tax to give permission to live and work.

I know Grecee has too hard rules even for married couples.

Solution is not to close the windows, dors if there are mosqitos outside. The best is to use flywhisk to block insects and to allow fresh weather to enter inside.

''If the problem is unemployment so have to turn and have to ask the bill to the politicians''

[athinaios]

Are you born a Greek? Or, do you become one? There was/is a discussion on the main Phantis news page. http://www.phantis.com/cosmos/spip.php?article681

The comments also show the range of opinions and the strong views of the posters.

[BlueStriker]

Interesting article Athinaios. I don't know your opinion, but I'd like to hear it.
It's a complex issue, and it's hard to say "No outsiders whatsoever should become a Greek". The important thing imo, is that it's less of a "pride" issue, and has more to do with how it will damage our country. Immigration can be a good thing, as long as there is a LIMIT. I feel that way too many immigrants, many illegal, are pouring into Greece, and this is very bad for the country. I don't see how Greece can absorb such a rapid flow of immigrants, with many of them not considering themselves Greek. The danger is that too many of a single minority, will eventually want their own rules, own government, and perhaps... their own land. Yes, I know I might sound like an alarmist, but we don't have to look to far north to see what happened with Kosovo. Things like this don't happen over night, but they happen.
And look at what happened in the mighty U.S.A. Remember a couple years ago hundreds of thousands of people (mostly Mexicans) marching the streets of major cities all across the country demanding that illegal citizens be made legal? Do you really think Greece can handle something like that? A kid gets shot by the police, and you have the entire country upside down for a month.

Have you ever been to Miami? The hispanic population is actually prejudice towards American citizens, especially the white ones. And if you don't speak Spanish at public places (yes, even at hospitals!), some even get mad at you They act as if Miami is actually not part of the USA. But that's the USA. Greece is too small and weak to afford something like that too happen.

Personally, I don't want to take the risk that areas of Greece will eventually be dominated by other ethnic groups. The reason immigration, until recently, has been so successful in the USA is because there were SO many different ethnicities living with each other, and the way to form a common bond with different ethnicities was to "become American" (i.e. speak English, watch baseball, etc.). I don't know if other groups such as Muslims and Albanians are as willing to "become Greek", because they don't need to. Following the current trend, eventually there will be enough of a certain minority or minorities to form there own communities, and perhaps even "regions".

30 years from now, do you want to walk or drive through parts of Greece and not be welcome by its' inhabitants because you are Greek?

Again, this post may sound alarmist, like I'm over-exaggerating, but these things don't happen overnight. Greece is not the USA. In my opinion, it can not absorb SO many immigrants (citizens or illegals) in such a short period of time without terrible consequences. I'm not against giving migrants citizenship after certain strict requirements are met, and as long as there is a LIMIT on how many migrants are allowed each year. What I am against, is having SO many migrants allowed into Greece, especially when they are illegal and have no intention of "becoming Greek".

I'd like to hear your opinions.

This post has been edited by BlueStriker on Feb 20 2010, 02:52 PM

[BlueStriker]

And another thing I wanted to add on the requirements of being given citizenship, only people that wish to "become Greek" such as have a sufficient understanding of the language, history, culture, and laws should be given citizenship. They must have lived in Greece for a significant amount of time, (about 7-10 years sounds good to me). Also, no major criminal records in Greece as well as in their previous country. They should have entered the country legally. If they entered illegally and had a child born in Greece (anchor baby), they still need to be sent back to there country as soon as their baby is healthy enough to travel.

And again most importantly, SET LIMITS on how many immigrants are allowed each year. Let's not open the floodgates to every Tomas, Dickembe, and Harish!