Lisbon, 25 September 2024 (Ecclesia): Pedro Vaz Patto, president of Portugal’s National Justice and Peace Commission (CNJP), emphasized that political proposals on immigration must reject any association between immigrants and crime, as this connection lacks scientific basis.
In an interview with Agência ECCLESIA, he pointed out that statistical data disproves the stereotype that immigrants are prone to criminal activity, stressing that "the typical immigrant is not a person inclined to crime but rather one focused on work, saving, and family." He urged a rejection of hostility toward immigrants, highlighting their positive contributions to society, both economically and culturally.
The official emphasizes that statistical data do not reveal the association between immigration and crime and that, from the experience of the National Justice and Peace Commission, “the typical immigrant is not a person prone to crime”.
“On the contrary, [the immigrant] is a person who is particularly inclined to work, save, dedicate himself to his family and, sometimes, even because of this, he is more easily exploited, but, therefore, this does not correspond to the idea that immigrants are more prone to crime than native citizens”, he highlights.
Last week, the National Justice and Peace Commission published a note on migration, which it says is “a good for everyone”, motivated, according to Pedro Vaz Patto, by the feeling that “a climate of hostility towards immigrants is increasingly being created”.
“In Portugal, and in other countries, the voices that fuel this climate are becoming increasingly loud, and we want to emphasize that immigration is a good thing. It is a good thing for them, it is a good thing for us,” he emphasizes.
The president of the CNJP says that it is becoming increasingly clear that immigrants are necessary for “the functioning of various economic activities, from agriculture to catering to elderly care”.
“It is a contribution that these people make to Portuguese society, and they also make it in a financial way”, he highlights, adding that studies indicate that the contribution that immigrants “make to Social Security is greater than the benefits they receive from the Portuguese State”.
In addition to the material contribution, Pedro Vaz Patto highlights the “enriching” dialogue between cultures that immigration provides.
For the person in charge, “it is not enough to open the border” and accept that immigrants work in jobs that native citizens often do not want to accept, highlighting, therefore, the importance of the verbs “welcome, protect, promote and integrate”, which Pope Francis emphasizes.
“That, in fact, these people are able to not only satisfy basic needs, but also fully realize themselves as people,” he hopes.
Regarding the integration of immigrants, Pedro Vaz Patto states that contact between the native population and foreigners is the first step to be taken so that they do not close themselves off in ghettos.
The president of the CNJP states that reception involves ensuring that immigrants are not subject to conditions that are often made public, in which citizens live in overcrowded and unsuitable spaces.
“The answer is not, therefore, to simply expel these people, rather, it is, in fact, to create conditions so that access to housing does not occur in this way”, he stresses.