In the immigration issue, the focus is almost unanimously placed on the situation of the immigrant, but not as much attention is paid to the negative effects that this immigration produces. In some cases, serious violence, as can easily be seen in the news bulletins practically every day.
It is true that there is a type of victim that has already been assumed, at least partially, by everyone, including the Church; the Pope himself has recognized her and spoken about her during his apostolic journey to Spain. I am referring to the immigrant herself. And who is the immigrant a victim of?
Of the mafias involved in human trafficking; of the mafias involved in trafficking (usually women); and of certain employers who take advantage of their immense bargaining power.
But also of false immigrants. In general, sub-Saharan migrants are people fleeing violence and extreme poverty, but this is not the case with pre-Saharan migrants (Maghrebis): they are neither starving nor at war. They simply take advantage of lax legislation that quickly facilitates access to easy money. The best example is the MENA. And what happens? In the end, the innocent pay for the guilty.
Moreover, there are other victims. In a very prominent place are Spanish women (and also women of other origins). Sexual assaults have multiplied since the massive arrival of immigration. Those who come are mostly men, and for the most part from countries where culturally women are placed a rung below men. This happens with Africans, Asians, but also among those from Christian American countries.
Others who suffer harshly from immigration are young Spaniards (and others with roots), especially those living in lower-middle-class areas. On the one hand, they directly suffer violence and tensions in their neighborhoods (which have become gang territories), where thefts and beatings are common. On the other hand, they monopolize certain labor activities that they carry out at prices and under conditions that nationals cannot accept. Thirdly, their presence in a limited housing market creates a serious shortage, driving up prices and causing the expulsion effect on Spaniards. Fourthly, they monopolize aid and subsidies, leaving Spaniards outside the public safety net (to which they and their ancestors and relatives have contributed with their taxes).
Furthermore, society as a whole is also a victim. On the one hand, because it has to endure activities foreign to its culture and tradition, with large events for celebrations perceived as invasive (mass public Ramadan prayers, sheep slaughters, etc.). But, on the other hand, because—as revealed in several reports in northern Europe, such as Denmark and the Netherlands—their contribution is negative, so that, although in the short term it may give the opposite impression, in the medium term the Welfare State, which took so much effort to establish, will end up collapsing.
For all these reasons, it would be desirable that in the listening processes that the Church has launched in recent times, these victims are also taken into account—very much into account.