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The government of Jamaica has entered into an agreement with the government of India to set up a pre-screening program for persons seeking work in the tropical island nation. There have been serious concerns in allowing any worker into such a small, economically isolated population. All such nations have to be very careful about who they allow in so as not to disrupt their economy and employment possibilities for current citizens and residents.
United States Foreign Service officer Michael O'Keefe was charged on Friday with accepting trips with exotic dancers, jewelry and entertainment in exchange for issuing visas to 21 people linked to an international jewel distributor. O'Keefe, aged 59 and a 22-year State Department veteran, was working at the U.S. Consulate in Toronto as the deputy non-immigrant visa chief.
Thousands of the best and the brightest living in Lebanon have been displaced by the recent conflict. Canada has stepped forward immediately to offer refuge status and, in some cases, asylum to many in hopes of bringing in some of the most educated and skilled.
Australia has again opened its doors and given refuge and new hope and a new home to the latest groups of some 200 refugees.
Australia's Minister for Immigration, Senator Amanda Vanstone, said that this week (Aug 28 - Sept 1), Australia had again welcomed more than 200 refugee and humanitarian entrants, including some people assessed as being amongst the most in need of resettlement.
Since the European Union surged eastward and embraced 10 new countries in May 2004, more than 400,000 citizens from the new member States have arrived in the UK, sparking a fierce debate about the benefits they bring. With Bulgaria and Romania scheduled to join on 01 January 2007, voices on both sides of the political spectrum are saying it's time to raise the drawbridge.