‘Dutch positive on immigration despite linking it to crime’

The Dutch see a stronger link than most other Europeans between immigration and crime. At the same time, the number of people saying immigration in general is a problem is relatively low in the Netherlands, according to the German Marshall Fund of the United States.

The organisation surveyed public opinion in the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Poland for its report ‘Transatlantic Trends: Immigration’, which was published yesterday. The survey shows that 50% of Americans and 47% of Europeans think immigration is more of a problem than an opportunity, but a closer look shows marked differences within Europe.

Asked whether immigration is “more of a problem” or “more of an opportunity,” 50 percent of Americans said it is “more of a problem.” The European average was 47 percent. The United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, and Poland all have majorities or pluralities defining immigration as “more of a problem”, while pluralities in both France (46%) and the Netherlands (42%) say it is “more of an opportunity.”

On the other hand, 61 percent of the Dutch say that immigration will increase crime in their society. Only Italians were gloomier. On average 52% of Europeans and 47% of Americans say that immigration will increase crime in their society.

The Dutch, much more so than other Europeans, reject multilateral immigration policies. “The United Kingdom and the Netherlands clearly favour national sovereignty on the management of migration,” say the researchers, with “54% and 74%, respectively, favouring a unilateral approach”.

Source: NIS News, 19 November 2008