The migration paradox: a dinghy costs more than a plane ticket
Ione Belarra's claim about the cost of a migrant boat versus a flight reopens the debate on legal and irregular migration. We break down the economic facts.
English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published
The migration paradox: a dinghy costs more than a plane ticket
Did you know that paying for a migrant boat to cross from Senegal costs more than a Dakar-Madrid plane ticket? That is the question posed by Ione Belarra, leader of Podemos, in a tweet that has peine the debate on irregular immigration and legal routes. The claim, however counterintuitive it may seem, has an economic explanation: illegality carries a surcharge that is passed on to the migrant.
Belarra is calling for "legal and safe routes to migrate NOW", but the reaction was swift. Some see a contradiction in this proposal: if legal routes are made easier, what happens to irregular immigration? Others, however, believe the solution lies in facilitating legal migration and controlling the irregular kind.
Criticism has also targeted the party's stance, which some consider ambiguous or opportunistic. In the debate, it has been pointed out that the cost of the boat is not only financial: there is the risk to life and exploitation. The underlying issue is that, as long as there are no legal channels, the lucrative business of the smuggling mafias will keep growing.
To what extent is Spanish society willing to accept mass legal immigration? The question remains open.
Did you know that paying for a migrant boat to cross from Senegal costs more than a Dakar-Madrid plane ticket? That is the question posed by Ione Belarra, leader of Podemos, in a tweet that has peine the debate on irregular immigration and legal routes. The claim, however counterintuitive it may seem, has an economic explanation: illegality carries a surcharge that is passed on to the migrant.
Belarra is calling for "legal and safe routes to migrate NOW", but the reaction was swift. Some see a contradiction in this proposal: if legal routes are made easier, what happens to irregular immigration? Others, however, believe the solution lies in facilitating legal migration and controlling the irregular kind.
Criticism has also targeted the party's stance, which some consider ambiguous or opportunistic. In the debate, it has been pointed out that the cost of the boat is not only financial: there is the risk to life and exploitation. The underlying issue is that, as long as there are no legal channels, the lucrative business of the smuggling mafias will keep growing.
To what extent is Spanish society willing to accept mass legal immigration? The question remains open.
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Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (10 replies).
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