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Editorial: Immigration bureau needed

As a result of the tragic drowning of the six Chinese women who were thrown overboard by their traffickers, the Executive Yuan has decided to adopt measures to curb problems associated with illegal immigration. These measures include randomly interviewing couples that give reasons to suspect they are seeking bogus cross-strait marriages, and establishing an immigration bureau. Although belated, the proposed reforms are certainly a step in the right direction, since Taiwan is once again rapidly evolving into a vibrant immigrant society.

Taiwan has always been an immigrant society, in which settlers from China, Spain, Holland and other places pursued their dreams and found a new home. That of course all changed when the KMT regime retreated five decades ago and imposed tight controls on inbound and outbound travel.

By the end of last year, the number of foreign spouses married to Taiwanese alone had reached approximately 250,000. Foreign spouses come from a wide range of places. Toping the list is of course China followed by Southeast Asia. In fact, one in four brides last year came from abroad. This does not include all the foreign workers and other non-Taiwanese.

It is good to see Taiwan again becoming an immigrant society. Such societies typically offer greater diversity, increased innovation, more entrepreneurial ingenuity and greater social mobility. Moreover, this may slow the rapid speed at which the country's population is aging. According to the Alliance of Fairness and Justice, also known as the pan-purple alliance, if the status quo is maintained, 20 percent of Taiwan's population will be senior citizens by 2025.

In tune with all these developments is the government's plan to loosen immigration for professionals in various sectors and those seeking to invest in Taiwan. As for professionals, generally only those working in high-technology industries qualify for permanent residency. Reforms would make it easier for professionals from other industries to obtain permanent residency status. As for investors, their capital can balance the draining of local capital to China.

There are downsides and upsides to virtually every change. The many illegal immigrants seeping through the cracks create some very serious social problems and their presence may lead to even more serious crimes. According to the Mainland Affairs Council Chairwomen Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) the percentage of females among illegal Chinese immigrants has increased significantly in just a few years -- from 7 percent in 1999 to 72 percent this year. Unfortunately, many of them end up working as prostitutes here, thinking that they will make some quick cash and then go home. Many, such as the 26 thrown overboard Tuesday, find out that things don't always work out that way.

Tsai indicated that, effective Sept. 1, seemingly odd couples -- characterized by things such as a large age difference, a severely handicapped Taiwanese spouse and repeated marriage with different Chinese nationals by one Taiwanese -- will be summoned for government interviews to ensure that they are bona fide unions.

In the future, this task would fall into the hands of an immigration bureau. The establishment of a centralized immigration-regulation mechanism with sufficient powers would be able to effectively deal with Taiwan's immigration problems.
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