Articles Posted in Top Immigration Stories

Mr. Jason Kenney, Minister for Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism has discussed and clarified the various changes which is the part of new Immigration Plan 2010 of Canada.

Canada is adjusting its 2010 immigration plan to put even greater emphasis on economic recovery and further reduce the federal skilled worker backlog.

The government is also proposing new eligibility criteria for the immigrant investor program so it makes an even greater contribution to the Canadian economy. Proposed regulatory changes will require new investors to have a personal net worth of $1.6 million, up from $800,000, and make an investment of $800,000, up from $400,000.

The minister clarified at the outset that these changes were not in any way a reduction of immigration numbers, but a way to bring in more transparency, controls and lastly a speedier more efficient processing system. One of the most important factors contributing to an immigrant’s economic success is the ability to speak one of Canada’s official languages. Under changes to the federal skilled worker program and the Canadian experience class, all new applicants are required to include the results of an English or French language test as part of their application. The language requirements themselves, however, are not changing.

According to the minister, “With the results of a language test, FSW applicants will know before they apply exactly how many points they will be awarded for language ability on the federal skilled worker selection grid. Canadian Experience Class applicants will also know in advance if they meet the minimum language requirements necessary as part of their application.”
He added: “In keeping with the Action Plan for Faster Immigration, processing times are expected to improve because the visa officer simply assigns points based on the language test result instead of taking the time to review a written submission. Finally, many regulatory bodies and industry sectors require language testing or other proof of language assessment, so in taking the test, applicants are one step further on the path to integration into the Canadian labor market.”
On the federal skilled worker category, Canada still receives thousands more applications each year than can be processed and accepted. This is true even when you consider that Canada has the highest relative level of immigration in the developed world, with a quarter million permanent residents admitted every year. Effective immediately, to be eligible to apply as a federal skilled worker, applicants must either have a job offer, or they must have experience in one of 29 in-demand occupations. These occupations were identified through analysis of updated labour market information and consultations with provinces, territories, stakeholders and the public. The government will limit the number of applications considered for processing to 20,000 per year as a way to better manage the supply of applications with labour market demand. Within the 20,000 limit, a maximum of 1,000 applications per occupation will be considered. The limit does not apply to applicants with a job offer.

Arranged employment is one of the six factors under Canada’s new points system for selecting immigrants under the skilled worker category. It is essentially a genuine job offer by a Canadian employer that is validated by Human Resources & Skills Development Canada (HRSDC). According to the minister, this category ensures that immigrants are not stuck in the “survival job conundrum” and will be given priority at all times.

The minister also confirmed that there would be a comprehensive review of the provincial nominee program in conjunction with provinces to design a more standardized program that would benefit all provinces. Additionally, the Auditor General has asked for more information on the program as there is a lack of data on whether it meets its objectives and whether immigrants who come in under this program get jobs commensurate with their education and previous careers and lastly whether they move out of the province after landing.

Australia’s new immigration policy aims to let in only the professionals it needs and to tell its citizens that their jobs will not be taken by immigrants in times of recession. It comes as a huge concern for Indian students in Australia as it has toughened its immigration laws and has brought down the list of professions which qualify for immigration from 400 to 181. Over the last one year, Indians have been at the receiving end of Australian racial attacks and mindless street violence. The tough new rules on the grant of student visas and permanent residence status will make it much harder for Indians to go to Australia.

Students who are already in Australia will be allowed to complete their courses but may have to return after a grace period. UK and Canada too have cracked down on immigrants from India.Australian High Commissioner, Peter Verghese said, “We want students to come to Australia to study. We want them to come to Australia to do a course which they judge is in their best interests. We want to separate out the study pathway from the migration pathway.”
It is clarified that beginning July 1, the number of visa-eligible jobs will drop from 400 to 181. The number of Indian students in Australia had exploded from just 8,000 in 2005 to a 100,000 in 2010. The growing visibility of Indians and shrinking jobs in Australia led to friction and a violent backlash. Graduates in cooking, hairstyling and gardening courses cannot hope for permanent residence. Instead, preference will be given to those on the new Skilled Occupations List which includes engineers, accountants, teachers, nurses, even welders and midwives.

The newly elected government finally come up with the numerical cap on its work permit for non-EU workers. The new permanent limit entering the United Kingdom will come into effect from April 2011. It will be announced after 12 week consultations within the government and with businesses and other interested groups.

Indians comprising the bulk of non-EU skilled immigrants to Britain- could be the worst affected after the British coalition government on Monday confirmed a stringent interim limit of 24,000 on work permits to be issued between July 19 and March 31 next year.

Home Secretary Theresa May said: “The government believes that Britain can benefit from migration but not uncontrolled migration. I recognize the importance of attracting the brightest and the best to ensure strong economic growth, but unlimited migration places unacceptable pressures on public services.”
It is widely understandable that this step will bring major fundamental changes in the way workers from outside the European Union will be chosen. It is also believed that high income group professionals may be excluded from the immigration curbs.

One of the most divisive issues for the new coalition Government in Britain has been immigration. The Labour Government had a points-based system, where decisions on who to let in was based on “points” they accumulated based on skills and experience. It’s a system that has been fiercely opposed by the now-in-government Conservative Party, which had been consistently calling for new immigration to fall to “tens of thousands a year” rather than “hundreds of thousands” through the introduction of a cap on numbers.

A far cry from their coalition colleagues, the Liberal Democrats, who during the election campaign had mooted an amnesty for illegal immigrants.In the early days of the coalition, it seemed that the Conservatives had had their way – with the idea of the cap making its way into a joint policy document that had followed many hours of hard bargaining between the two sides. It is said that a consultation would shortly be taking place with “businesses and other interested parties” on a wide range of issues relating to the cap and its implementation.

The Conservative plans to cut immigration have been widely criticized not only by human rights campaigners, but also by business leaders, who have argued that the cap could hear the economic recovery, by depriving businesses of key skilled staff and universities of students, deter foreign investors from putting their money into Britain, and lead to tit-for-tat tighter restrictions on British companies operating abroad.

The India of today is shining in real sense. The recent concluded G-20 summit in South Korea affirmed the views of India in terms of financial independence. The narrative space within which this triadic India is situated today defies any specific statistical analysis. It is inevitable that a India surges ahead on its own steam, and that is what India shining denotes—the rebirth of a nation in terms of self-awareness, self-consciousness, self confidence, and the desire to take on the world. This is India shining.

Canadian Govt. too add a feather in India shining campaign by planning to invite Indian entrepreneurs to buy small companies in Canada that do not have succession plans through their Investor Visa program. Minister for advanced education, Rob Norris, explained, “nearly 40 percent of the SMEs do not have succession plans. In order have continuity of business we invite Indian entrepreneurs to explore acquisition of such SMEs.”
The Canadian province of Saskatchewan is hoping to attract Indian investors to move to Canada and buy SMEs in the region. The province is also keen to attract Indian students studying in Canada to stay on living and working in the country in order to enhance the local economy and create jobs.

In order to try to make this happen, Norris is now leading a delegation of officials to India to try to cement relationships between the two countries. He explained that attracting Indian investment will safeguard thousands of jobs and the huge contribution SMEs make to the local economy. The program is intending to attract C$100 million in investment from India. Norris says Saskatchewan is the perfect destination for firms focusing on research and development and state capital Saskatoon is one of Canada’s top ten entrepreneurial cities. This makes it a great destination for Canadian work visa holders and others looking to move to Canada.

It is the time which demands sincere commitments from India to make it a good deal.

The Department of State alerts U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in South Africa due to safety and security issues related to the FIFA World Cup taking place in nine cities across the country from June 11 to July 11, 2010. This travel alert expires July 31, 2010. Complete information about the World Cup for American visitors is available on the U.S. Mission to South Africa’s dedicated World Cup website. It is well known that large-scale public events like the World Cup may present a wide range of attractive targets for terrorists. There is a heightened risk that extremist groups will conduct terrorist acts within South Africa in the near future. The Department of State will provide information to its public once it receives information of any specific and credible threat through an updated Travel Alert or Travel Warning. All US citizens in or traveling to South Africa are urged to register with the U.S. Mission to South Africa in order to receive these alerts as quickly as possible. It further says to ensure visitors at all places by taking ample precautions like avoid carrying or displaying expensive items or wearing eye-catching jewelry, stay in a group, and avoid walking at night, be alert and aware of your surroundings at all times, looking out for your own personal security, keep doors locked and windows closed while driving, avoid having purses, phones, bags and luggage in plain view, be wary of street vendors at traffic lights, planted obstacles and staged “accidents” that may be traps for unsuspecting motorists. Do not stop for cars with flashing lights unless they are clearly marked as police or emergency service vehicles. Park your car in secure, gated parking lots or garages wherever possible, and do not leave bags or valuables in plain view. Keep a copy of your passports all time while ensuring to keep originals at safe location. Need to report matters pertaining to lost or stolen passports or to US Consulate.

Top Justice Department officials have drafted a legal challenge asserting that Arizona’s controversial immigration law is unconstitutional because it impinges on the federal government’s authority to police the nation’s borders, sources said Wednesday.

At the same time, the government officials said, the department’s civil rights section is considering possible legal action against the law on the basis that it amounts to racial profiling of Latinos who are legally in Arizona but conceivably could be asked to provide documents proving their citizenship.

U.S. Atty. Gen. Eric H. Holder Jr. met Wednesday with nine top police chiefs who object to the Arizona legislation and promised them he would act on the recommendations soon, a spokesman said.

The police chiefs urged Holder and the Obama administration, which has grave reservations about the Arizona measure, to stop the law. The chiefs said it would seriously hamper local police work if officers had to serve as border patrol policemen.

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This is a letter by Rev. Dr. Billy Bruner, Letter to the editor. Another point of view about the Arizona Law debate:

I am writing this letter in concern over so many being upset about a law dealing with “illegals.”
There are those who support the illegal immigrants and feel that any law against them is injustice. If these same people are supports of “illegalism,” I wonder, would they support me driving my car without a tag, without proper driver’s license and etc.?
The state of Arizona passed a law against “illegal” immigrants, not “legal” immigrants — against those who violate the law of their state and that of the U.S., as far as I can understand the law.

I cannot understand why there is so much concern by American citizens about being stopped by a law enforcement officer. I do not care if one stops me, because I have nothing to hide. I may be disappointed that I am being delayed, but the fact is that if the officer is doing the stopping due to some matter that affects the laws of the county, state or national government, I have no concern. Any officer who does this outside of the legal rights he or she has concerning their position as an officer should not be an officer in the first place.

I contend that those who oppose this so strongly are those who have something to hide, and/or are against the democratic laws of our great nation. I close this about “illegals” by saying that the current administration will oppose the Arizona law because it affects those who supported Obama politically. It is a political issue rather than a true matter of dealing with illegal immigrants.

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We feared that this may happen, and it did. Immigration reform has become the first of President Barack Obama’s major priorities dropped from the agenda of an election-year Congress facing voter disillusionment. Sounding the death knell was Obama himself.

The president noted that lawmakers may lack the “appetite” to take on immigration while many of them are up for re-election and while another big legislative issue — climate change — is already on their plate.

“I don’t want us to do something just for the sake of politics that doesn’t solve the problem,” Obama told reporters Wednesday night aboard Air Force One.

Immigration reform was an issue Obama promised Latino groups that he would take up in his first year in office. But several hard realities — a tanked economy, a crowded agenda, election-year politics and lack of political will — led to so much foot-dragging in Congress that, ultimately, Obama decided to set the issue aside.

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Attorney General Eric Holder said Tuesday that the federal government may go to court to challenge Arizona’s new law which makes it a state crime to be in the United States illegally.

The controversial bill gives Arizona law enforcement the authority to stop people whom officers have “reasonable suspicion” of being in the country illegally, detain these individuals while verifying immigration status, and arrest undocumented immigrants for transfer to ICE custody. The bill, also known as the “Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act” also makes it a crime to be in the state illegally and to provide transportation to someone you know is undocumented.

Those who oppose the bill are concerned about possible civil rights violations, and worried that the legislation will lead to racial profiling — a major concern for Arizona’s approximately 30% Hispanic population and larger mixed race population. The bill does not list the characteristics officers will be looking for to determine “reasonable suspicion.”
The Justice Department and the Homeland Security Department are reviewing the state law, which takes effect in late July or early August, 90 days after the Arizona Legislature adjourns.

A number of options are under consideration including “the possibility of a court challenge,” the attorney general said in response to questions on the Arizona law posed during a news conference on another topic.

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