Topic: Rights of Immigrants
Country: South Africa
Delegate Name: Tracy Scherdt
School: Ann Arbor Community High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All South Africa position papers GLIMUN 2012 committees
Migration of persons in the international sphere is a recurring and prevalent issue. In order to understand the issue thoroughly it is necessary to define the terms of immigration. There are two types of immigration: voluntary and involuntary and, in terms of legality, legal and illegal. A migrant that settles in a state in which they are not native solely out of favorable situation is considered voluntary. On the other hand, involuntary refugees have been displaced by an unfavorable situation; whether that situation be natural disaster, racial/religious conflict, civil war, or another. A voluntary migrant may not always be a legal immigrant, many are illegal in fact. The legal status of refugees in all states is a ubiquitous and differing question.
South Africa sees its diverse demographic as key in determining its public policies, especially concerning rights of immigrants. Because the contemporary demographic of South Africa has been shaped by both internal and out-of-state migrations, South Africa can speak with experience on the issue of determining policies and the legality of immigrants. South Africa feels it has generated a policy satisfactory enough to be instituted in other states as well, though understands that each state differs on their objectives and concerns regarding immigration. One point of topic that South Africa discerns as important is recognizing that barring a state completely from such entries and exits of the flow of migration is counter productive and simply cannot be done. However, limitations should be placed for immigrants existing in a state to which they are not native. Such limitations should include: second-tier job opportunities for temporary or illegal residences of a state to which they are not native, leaving the jobs open for permanent residents/citizens, creating requirements for the application of permanent residents, discouraging immigrants who are not seriously committed to the country of immigration, and the ability to withdraw an immigration permit based on unmet requirements.
South Africa is aware of the question of legal status concerning immigrants of different situations. South Africa feels that it is a state’s duty to allow both migrants and refugees rights as persons, however these people can be denied certain privileges allowed to legitimate citizens of the state. South Africa understands the effect of situation on a person’s decision to migrate and therefore takes into account a certain leniency in immigration laws. Those committed to contributing and being apart of the state may stay with legal papers in order, but those who are not seriously committed will be deported or offered an alternative to staying in the state.
South Africa recommends that the above policies be instituted into states with demographics similar to the Republic of South Africa and any other states who see fit. A state has an obligation to its people, including those of resident immigration populations, and therefore South Africa maintains determined to create public policy based on the people, putting legal citizens first but simultaneously addressing the existence of a large number of illegal and legal immigrants.
