Topical:
In a compromise that was already generating heated criticism by the end of the day, the United States Senate reached a broad agreement on the shape of a new immigration reform bill today.
Canada has introduced proposed amendments to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) that will allow immigration officers to deny work permits to those entering the country to work as exotic dancers. Immigration Minister Diane Finley stated that it was an attempt to curb the prospect that migrant strippers may be "abused, exploited or possibly become victims of human trafficking."
Two U.S. senators on Monday asked nine foreign-based companies to explain how they are using their United States H-1B work permits that they have obtained for their employees. Recent information about misuse of the program has created a heated debate in the U.S. Congress as it moves into the final stages of presenting immigration reform measures this month.
In a recent speech to the New Zealand government, Immigration Minister David Cunliffe outlined the country's plan to attract migrants from abroad in a bid to keep the New Zealand labor force competitive in the global economy, increase public confidence, and foster New Zealand's diverse population.
An agreement signed between the Canadian federal government and Alberta will allow the province to attract ten times the current number of immigrants over the next ten years.
The number of immigrants currently allotted to the province is set at 2,500, but it will be raised to 25,000 over the next decade. This is expected to constitute 10% of all immigration to Canada.
The state government of Western Australia says that the increase of 5,000 skilled migration placements is inadequate to fill their needs. Western Australia alone needs another 60,000 in the next ten years.