Me, you, our complex society, faces dilemmas, fears, and multiple questions, which most of the time don’t have a specific answer. One of these multiple questions is immigration, for the reason why there are plenty of issues hidden inside this word. Inside all of this perfection of complexity, we start collecting parts of imperfection. Most of the times when we think about this, we remind the word “immigration”.
Migration and immigration in Albania is a phenomenon since the early 1990s. Although the level of migration has fluctuated over the last two decades, overall statistics tends to increase over time.
This phenomenon of the democratic regime was almost unnoticed before the 90s, when Albanian society was a closed society. After the 1990s, the main phenomenon that defines the democratic regime is emigration.
In most cases, people migrate when they face a lack of resources and opportunities to meet their needs and aspirations. This is the situation of Albanian emigrants who have left their country for a better life together with their families, especially after a transition which resulted in poverty and high levels of unemployment.
From a total ban on free movement, where everything was controlled by the state, was passed on to a massive migration. That situation cost a big deal to the Albanian society and was accompanied by problems, conflicts and events that were negative for the development of Albania.
Migration has now become a global phenomenon that affects various countries around the world. Its dimensions and impact are considerable both in social, economic and individual terms. As a result of the effect of migration, it has developed a better regulation and management of migration, both at the international, regional and national levels.
Why we discuss whether it is an alternative choice which comes as a result of various factors or it is a solution to problems as poverty, critical political problems or even if centralization of some countries? The answer depends on how you treat the issues; migration brings benefits to a cost-benefit balance only if it is properly managed for the benefit of the individual, the family, but also of the country of origin and the recipient country. When the migration is properly linked to development, it can have a positive effect on the national interest. However, this process also has an other side of the coin.
That is why it evokes not only heated debates but also divides countries. Migration can deprive countries of origin of their best skills and talents and excellent minds, and it may effect family breakdowns. Nonetheless, migration is used for smuggling and trafficking in human beings to use migration flows from criminal and terrorist organizations.
The negative impact of immigration is that many emigrants are forced to stay for many years until naturalized (receive documents) in foreign countries where they live without seeing their families.
By accepting and understanding the situation we can move forward. After all, who said that things cannot change? What we can do instead is accept, learn, and continue. Because if we can develop we can change.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Anxhela Bruçi is a young writer, she has published two books related to social issues. She has finished her Bachelor studies for Administration and Social Policies. She aims to follow a Master of Science for Social Services in Criminal Justice. She aspires to advocate for human rights and to motivate young people to contribute for a better and a safer society.