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France approves immigration curbs

by liamssoft | September 20, 2007 at 08:58 am

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French President Nicolas Sarkozy has outlined controversial plans to overhaul the pension benefits of half a million mainly public sector workers and announced more than 22,000 job cuts in the civil service in order to reform the country's bulging public sector. He has made immigration one of his key issues and so this latest announcement is of no surprise.

The French National Assembly has passed a controversial bill tightening entry conditions for the relatives of immigrants living in France.

Under the legislation, the relatives will have to prove they are solvent financially and can speak French.

It also includes plans for DNA testing of foreigners seeking to join family members living in France.

But the new bill has been criticised by some members of President Nicolas Sarkozy's centre-right government.

The legislation would require immigrant family members older than 16 to take a test in their country of origin, demonstrating a good knowledge of French language and values.

Applicants would also have to prove that their family in France could support them and earn at least the minimum wage.

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BigT

at 10:08 on September 20th, 2007

I think that this is an appropriate move by Mr. Sarkozy. I could be wrong but I think that they have even floated the idea of offering immigrants money to leave their country. The problem in France and many European countries as well is that there is, to steal a phrase from John Edwards, two Europes. On the one hand you have the aging native population that lives in the cities. On the other hand you have an immigrant population, largely Muslims, that is a young population that lives on the outskirts of towns.

Tensions are definitely growing between the two groups and something must be done. They can't deport everyone but they can make a difference in the area of who comes into their country and under what circumstances. Having an immigrant know the native language and at least appreciate the native culture is critical for a country to maintain its identity and for the promotion of the general welfare of the population.