Many residents in the GCC have often remarked about the love-hate relationship they perceive the authorities portray in their attitude towards the expatriates. They point to mass deportations in Saudi Arabia, Kuwaiti lawmakers’ recommendation to limit term of stay of foreigners in their country and other such perceived nuisances.
The authorities in these countries however have a bigger problem on hand. Faced with an extraordinary increase in population and a major youth force, governments have to establish long-range plans to absorb these ambitious citizens into meaningful and rewarding unemployment. Some fear that the presence of a sizable number of expatriates thwarts such a goal.
During the current mass exits of illegal residents from Saudi Arabia, there has also been noticed an underlying wave of resentment from some Saudi quarters against all expatriates, lawful or otherwise. It is definitely an unwarranted thought and has risen for no reason other than to generalise all expatriates in one melting pot — the good, the legal and the illegals. But there are many Saudis who do not appreciate this form of venting of ire against the legal residents and have gone in print to express just that to reassure the lawful residents that they are certainly not among the ‘unwanted.’ There is no question that expatriates have played and continue to play a significant role in the development of this country. To deny that would be to deny the obvious.
Generations of such people have come here, lived and worked and even gave birth to children in this country, many of whom know of no other home than Saudi Arabia. The current climate of raids has hit a raw nerve in one such child of an expatriate who writes: “I would like you to write an article regarding “Saudi Citizenship”, or “Permanent Residency” at least for Saudi born expatriates!
Permanent residency
“I myself was born in the kingdom 20 years back and am still living here since. My father arrived in the kingdom 35 years back and he is still working as an engineer in the Ministry of Defence and Aviation, King Khalid Military City. Some expats have lived longer and contributed to the kingdom. In return, I feel that the government should at least grant citizenship for the skilled or at least allow them Permanent Residency cards, like the so-called ‘Green Card’ of America.
“For children like me there is no other home other than this kingdom. Today I live in fear. What if one day by the immigration rules I may have to leave Saudi Arabia? What if my father’s job is over? We would then be forced to return to a country where I’ve never been but which happens to be mine by nationality.
“So what do I want, being a Saudi born and bred here: 1. Citizenship for the skilled who have lived continuously in this country for over 25 years
2 .Those who were born in Saudi of legal status and reached the age of 20 should get nationality if they so desired.
3. If the two points above are hard to get, at least let them be granted ‘Permanent Residency Cards.’
“Many Saudis whom I know ask me if I got the citizenship. I reply to them that the existing system of citizenship is very difficult and getting the 23 qualifying points is not easy for most. There has to be a change in the citizenship system. Some Saudis get even shocked when they notice I have an Iqama. They cannot believe I am an Indian, as all my language and mannerism traits have been moulded growing in this land.
“What I want to state is that after being born here, growing up here and accustomed to Saudi culture, I have the ‘Right’ to get Saudi nationality without too many hurdles. It will be of great justice if at least our voices are heard…T.K.”
T.K presents a valid argument. He is a Saudi in all senses of the word except for his passport. He knows of no other country other than the land of his birth to call home. Many in Saudi Arabia and other parts of the Gulf can easily identify themselves with him. While many expatriates in the GCC are set to return one day, thousands of others have not made any such plans as they know of no other country than their present country of residence. It was in the 19th and early 20th century that masses of immigrants from northern, southern, and eastern European countries fleeing hardship went to the United States to be greeted by the Statue of Liberty and processed at Ellis Island. These immigrants then made their way to their new homes throughout the United States fulfilling the realisation of their hopes and dreams of a new life in America, and driving the United States to become the most powerful nation on earth.
Perhaps it may be resourceful to absorb and harness the talent and energy of our own aspiring homegrown law-abiding immigrants in a similar manner. They would certainly contribute to and enrich the social, economic and cultural diversity of the country.
Tariq A. Al Maeena is a Saudi socio-political commentator. He lives in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/@talmaeena
