Immigration newsletter 01 Oct 2008

European Union interior ministers met in Brussels on 25 September 2008 to discuss an EU-wide immigration pact. The pact would include endorsing the so-called 'blue card' skilled immigration directive. The blue card would provide a "one-stop shop" for non-European Union nationals with skilled work experience who wish to take employment in any European Union member state.

The scheme hopes to help the EU compete with other countries that are attracting many more skilled immigrants. If an agreement is reached, the blue card could become reality by 2011.

Since the United States has come into existence, the makeup of America's newest citizens has changed -- from European pioneers that forged a new nation in its early days to the recent wave of Hispanic and Asian migrants adding their skills and talents to the world's largest economy.

Each year, hundreds of thousands of immigrants become U.S. citizens, through family, employment, or military-based immigration routes. U.S. citizenship grants a number of benefits to people who have decided to make America there home, including the right to vote, additional government benefits, and priority treatment for bringing relatives to the United States.

Recently the online immigrant-rights group, The Sanctuary, sent a questionnaire to both U.S. Presidential candidates. In his response, Barack Obama -- the Democratic candidate for President -- stated that he would make immigration one of his "top priorities" during the first month of his presidency.

The survey asked if the candidates supported expanding the H-1B visa scheme by raising the limit above the current 65,000 H-1B visas allowed per year; Obama replied that he would support "multiple proposals for increasing access to the world's best and brightest to work in America."

In response to a later question on reducing family-based visas in favor of a merit-based system, he stated that he would not support having skilled immigration take precedence over family-based immigration. Asked on whether he supported a guest worker program, Obama replied that he did, however it would have to meet certain requirements.

The vice-chairperson of the Policy Forum at the Queen's University School of Policy Studies recently gave a talk in Toronto. Speaking before an audience of academics, policy makers, and immigration workers, she said that Canada's immigration policy focuses too much on temporary labor migration policies and "short-changes" the economic benefits of permanent skilled migration.

She also stated that Canada has typically focused on "nation building" rather than short-term labor market needs, although she feels that this is no longer the case. While the number of temporary foreign workers has increased significantly -- compared to permanent skilled migration -- she noted that 40% of skilled migrants end up leaving Canada within one year.

In August of 2008, work permit quotas for St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Oblast administrative region were reached. At a roundtable discussion on 24 September 2008 -- organized by the American Chamber of Commerce -- the deputy Head of Immigration Issues for the affected areas said that a decision should be reached by the "beginning of October" on whether to increase the quotas. He said that another 105,000 permits for St. Petersburg were needed.

According to a panel of migration service and employment center representatives, the quota situation was a result of differing rules for foreign workers from countries within the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), compared to those from other nations. Foreign workers from CIS countries may apply directly for their work permits, but foreign workers from outside the CIS must have their employer apply for them. This results in a faster and more efficient system for CIS citizens.

On October 1st, a new Free Trade Agreement (FTA) will come into force between New Zealand and China. Several new immigration policies were agreed upon as part of the FTA negotiations, including a Chinese Skilled Workers policy and a Working Holiday Scheme.

The China Skilled Workers policy allows Chinese nationals to enter New Zealand for temporary employment in a very limited number of occupations, such as coaches in Wushu martial arts and teaching aides for Mandarin. Up to 1000 skilled Chinese workers at any one time can be employed for up to 3 years under a list of skilled shortage occupations. 1000 young, well-educated Chinese nationals per year will be allowed to work in New Zealand while on an extended holiday.