Economic immigrants cannot be considered as refugees, the Campaign for National Independence said this evening.

In a statement, CNI said that prospective immigrants risk their lives and pay money for their voyage across the sea to start a new life in Europe. They will not take such risks if they know they cannot start a better life and, instead, are sent back to where they came from. Therefore, if one wanted to make it clear that they are not wanted, they are to be sent back, CNI said.

The European Union is strengthening its surveillance on its frontiers so that immigrants are turned back and are not allowed into Europe. Frontex vessels are sending vessels back, and by so doing the EU is adopting a push-back policy.

On the other hand, the EU is not allowing Malta to send migrants to other countries because it does not want illegal immigrants in other parts of the union.

Malta wants migrants to go where they want in Europe. This means that Malta is not acting badly with migrants, but the EU is, the CNI said.