According to the Emigrants Commission, the number of migrants with freedom of movement in Malta and housed in Open Centres is expected to reach 1,000 over the next two months.

At present, Malta is bracing itself for this summer’s influx of illegal immigrants. It is clear that the statistics quoted by the Commission have not included the expected or projected influx for this year.

At the same time, a number of do-gooder NGOs have invited the Maltese to joyously celebrate World Day of Refugees at Balzan with band performances, exhibitions and food.

For our children’s sake, the time has come for our national priorities to be sorted out and someone starts to seriously ponder and question Malta’s (or lack of) national strategy vis-à-vis illegal migration.

Karl Sammut