The tolerance of Basque society towards immigration remains stable, after a slight rebound as a result of the arrival of refugees from Ukraine, and 66.36% of the population views the migratory phenomenon with acceptance. The latest study by Ikuspegi-the Basque Immigration Observatory reveals, however, some data that reflects reservations towards groups such as migrants of North African origin and, in particular, towards unaccompanied minors. Up to 60% of Basques believe that the arrival of unaccompanied minors affects their safety.
The study Perceptions and attitudes towards the population of foreign origin, a document of almost 200 pages prepared by Ikuspegi, offers a very detailed x-ray of how Basque society perceives the migration phenomenon.
In general, the tolerance index remains high, at 66.36%, although it has decreased three points in just one year. In any case, Ikuspegi links it to the exhaustion of the peak of tolerance as a result of the War in Ukraine and the arrival of refugees from this country.
One of the first conclusions of the study is that, as usual, society perceives a higher percentage of migrants than there really are. Those surveyed estimated, on average, that in Basque society there are 21.4% people of foreign origin, when in reality there are 12.4%. Likewise, 73% of those surveyed have indicated that they believe this figure will increase in the next five years (the number of those who believe it will increase has dropped 12 points in one year).
Taking into account the effects of the phenomenon in different areas, the survey shows that Basque society perceives positive effects of immigration at an economic level, and up to 71% indicate that it allows “it to work better by occupying jobs that the native population does not want.” ”. On the opposite side, only 15% point out that “salaries go down” as a result of the arrival of migrants.
At the identity and cultural level, only 15% of the population points out that it will have negative consequences for the development and use of Basque, while 76% consider that it will contribute to solving problems derived from the aging of the European population.
The study, however, also addresses the spread of “rumors and stereotypes,” and respondents indicate that they hear the following rumors in their surroundings: “they live on social assistance and abuse it” (72% indicate that they hear it in your enviroment); with immigration “crime increases” (47.9%); or “we can't accept more, there are too many” (29.4%). 40% of those surveyed also indicate that they “agree” that migrants “benefit excessively from the social protection system” and 35% that migrants “generate insecurity and crime”, a figure that skyrockets. the case of unaccompanied minors.
Another section that draws attention to the study is the one related to the differences in acceptance generated by differences in nationality of origin. Thus, if the degree of sympathy towards people from Argentina (7.1) or Western Europe (7) reaches high marks, in the case of sympathy towards migrants from the Maghreb it remains at 5.5.
Experts relate this low score to the link to the phenomenon of unaccompanied minors, an area to which they have dedicated a specific section of the survey and which shows the most problematic levels of acceptance. 23% of Basque society consider that they should be returned to their countries of origin (11 points more than four years ago) and 40% estimate that they should be assisted "up to a quota and distribute the rest among the different communities." From this section also emerges the link between minors and insecurity (59.5%) and the consideration of 41.5% of those surveyed that “institutions excessively protect this group.” In any case, 82.8% consider that these young people “have many problems when searching for employment.”
Finally, regarding immigration policies, 44.5% of those surveyed are in favor of allowing the arrival of migrants “only with an employment contract” (16 points more than a year ago), while 34.3% defend allowing their arrival “without any legal obstacle” (9 points less than a year ago). Likewise, 36.1% of those surveyed are in favor of expulsion “in case they commit any crime,” while 46.8% are against this measure and 15.5% are “undecided.” about.
People who agree with expulsion in cases of crime have increased five points in just one year, although they have decreased 28 points compared to the moment of greatest popularity of this measure (in 2013, 64.4% defended expulsions for crime) .
The study, in fact, reflects how the tolerance index regarding immigration hit bottom around the years 2012-2013. In those years of economic crisis, negative perceptions regarding migrants increased. Since then, tolerance regarding the migratory phenomenon had increased uninterruptedly until last year. The latest study points to a change in trend that future studies should confirm.
