Official: Malta becoming more racist

VALLETTA, Malta, July 6 (UPI) -- A Maltese minister warns people there are becoming more racist as the country takes in more illegal immigrants.

"We have always prided ourselves on being a very hospitable nation, but unfortunately we have seen the beginning of racism over the past three years or so," Cristina Dolores, the family and social affairs minister, told the EU Observer,

Malta, with 400,000 people living on a small group of islands with an area of 122 square miles, has the highest population density in Europe. Last year, the country took in 1,800 immigrants and 750 have arrived this year, bringing the total number to 3,000.

Dolores said most of the newcomers view Malta as a gateway to another European country, which makes integrating them into society difficult. Newcomers are put into one of six closed detention centers, which are known for their harsh conditions.

Maltese residents fear the immigrants will make housing even scarcer and will compete for jobs, Dolores said.