Spain: Poll shows decreased tolerance of immigrants

Spain’s economic crisis has many in the country reassessing the status of the nation’s immigrants, many of whom come from Africa. A 400-page report entitled “The Evolution of Xenophobia and Racism in Spain for 2009” prepared by Spain’s Ministry of Labor and Immigration notes a drop in receptivity to foreign immigrants that has appeared to have grown along with the number of unemployed. The downturn in the economy has struck the tourism and construction industries hard, which are precisely those in which immigrants are greatly represented.

Spaniards seek immigrants’ integration into Spanish society and culture, even more so than tackling their unemployment. While the study showed Spain’s appreciation for the cultural richness brought by immigrants, there was much less acceptance of differences as to religion. Spaniards interviewed, while tolerant of cultural differences, demand that immigrants should adhere to legal and social norms that promote co-existence.

The report shows that 37 percent of those interviewed oppose immigration, 33 percent tolerate immigration, and 30 percent are sitting on the fence. With respect to laws regulating the entry and permanent residence of foreigners, 42 percent of those polled concluded that laws are “too tolerant” – an increase over previous years. Only 5 percent of those polled concluded that Spanish immigration laws are ‘strong enough.” The study has been conducted since 2005.

In addition, 39 percent of those polled believed that it is “entirely acceptable” to “expel immigrants from the country who have committed any crime,” while 29 percent say it is “fairly acceptable.” This is a jump by 18 points with respect to 2005. One out of every three of those interviewed did not answer the question as to which immigrant group is favored the most, while one out of every four answered “none.”

The study also shows that acceptance of conceding welfare rights to all has dropped. There was a drop by two percentage points since the 2008 survey when respondents were asked whether immigrants should receive unemployment benefits and Spanish citizenship.

The drop was also notable when respondents were asked whether immigrants should be allowed to bring family members and vote in municipal elections. In the first case, the drop was registered at 6 points and in the second the drop was 7 points. It is in the provision of voting rights to immigrants, therefore, that there was the least acceptance among Spaniards. Approval on the part of Spaniards of giving municipal voting rights to immigrants dropped from 86 percent in 2007 to 80 percent in 2008.

As for which group of immigrant is most favored, one out of 4 respondents said “none.” Of those polled, 12 percent said they favored Latin Americans, and 5 percent said they favored Africans and 4 percent favored Argentines. The least favored nationalities were Moroccans and Romanians.