Gex, I think it is a worldwide attitude. I have just come back from Costa Rica, and they had many problems with illegal immigrants from Nicaragua.

The problems arise because:

1)The world is a much smaller place. All countries have access to uptodate information and immigrants can research about first world countries and how to get there. Illegal people smuggling has become a profitable side business for many illegal gangs.

2)The ratio of people below the poverty line or in third world countries compared to first world countries is extremely high. Therefore the demand for first world living through immigration is extremely high and the supply through resources(available land, water, financial) etc in first world is extremely low. Hence the problem which will only get bigger in years to come.

You can't really blame the immigrants. If i was living in poverty stricken conditions or a war torn country with a wife and children, I would be doing everything I can to get out, and into a first world country to start a brand new life of safety. On the other hand you can't blame people in first world countries for trying to restrict them. As stated before, many first world countries don't have the resources to take on new immigrants. Especially ones that will take from the economy rather than put in. Its a hard situation all around. Not sure what the answer is to be honest.

I am doing the immigration thing next year, but I am doing it back to front from most. Instead of going from a third world country to a first, i am going from a first world country to a third haha.

BTW glad to see you settling in in Barcelona. How have you found it?  Have you run into zee lee yet?

The problem really isn't immigration in itself - though that really should be stopped if we what the developing world to 'develop' - the problem is the planets overpopulation.

Time for nature to play its cards, and deal us a mass plague.

The real problem is the Globalization and where it all started: in America of the States United In Crime ,or whatever you call this babillon.
You have the example in front of you, that is where all other countries copy from.
Immigration is the New Age kind of slavery. The elites need workers to work the plantations, factories, sweat shops and so on. People born in US don't want to do the dirty jobs, or paying 7 $/hour, so don't complain about immigration next time you go to Walmarama Store.

Poeple from poor countries tend to move themselves to rich countries in quest of work.
The particularity of Europe is that in the end of the 60's and 70's we asked them to come as we asked Spaniard and Italians to come  afew years earlier and we though they woud be not different from the latters.
But that immigration is not causing much problem, but it created a continuous stream of immigration which we were unable to stop. Now, the new immigration that we don't need is a source of concern.

I agree with Dormhouse, its mostly the fear of the other. Here in The Netherlands there have been mayor issues with immigration. Many people from mostly North Africa came to work as well as people from former Dutch colonies. Some people view this as a problem, they are unknown with their customs and ways and are sometimes indirectly discriminated.

Currently several new politicians have bandwagoned the idea that immigration is the cause of a lot of problems and mean to fix it by preventing  any migration from outside the EU.

On the other hand, migration can be a problem if migrants are not integrated into society, meaning lacking sufficient language, education or working skills. Which is the primary reason here why migrants are a bit mistrusted.

People think it is a problem but it hardly is, luckily not everyone thinks like this.

Ahkenaten, that's a good post, albeit a subtle argument.

I think the economic argument is a stronger one.

Our western economies NEED economic growth every year.  All of our systems are dependent upon growth.  Immigration supplies economic growth.  Without immigration, most western countries would be in a permanent recession for the last twenty-five years. 

What type of immigration are you talking about?

Do you mean, third world refugee immigration, economic migration, spouse immigration etc?

The majority of Europeans immigration recently is from the third world under refugee status. Many of them don't speak english, have little or no skills and struggle to assimiliate into the country. Many will cost the government more than they give back, in terms of welfare benefits, medical and living concessions and other associated government costs.

I am not having a go at these refugees as I would do the same thing as them if I was in their boat. I am just questioning your statement that all immigration produces huge financial windfalls for western governments.

Please read your first and last sentence.  You seem confused about what you are saying.