Immigration news

President George Bush called for approximately 6,000 National Guard by the end of July to temporarily patrol the U.S.-Mexican border in a policy speech in May. The idea was to immediately increase the security of the border while new personnel were recruited for the Border Patrol. On the 30 June deadline to have 2,500 troops along the Mexican border, the National Guard said Friday that only 483 were in position and working with the U.S. Border Patrol.

In a survey of 20 British universities, a stunning four out of five new graduates in nursing have been found to not have a job prospect available as they approach graduation at the end of this summer. Only one year ago, 70% of new graduates could expect substantial employment in their field at graduation.

In a 6-3 ruling, the Supreme Court of the United States decided this week that foreigners who have been arrested and are not told they have a right to contact their consulate for assistance may still have evidence gathered by police used against them. Under the Vienna Convention, all signatory states must allow foreigners arrested on their soil to contact their consulate. The United States is a signatory.

As well as the genuine applicants there have been reports of abuses of the immigration system by people claiming to be homosexual partners. A new trend in India is for men to claim to be homosexual partners to gain immigration to Canada. They apply on the basis that they cannot stay in India as homosexuality is illegal.

The Indian media reported in June that many youths are using the ban on homosexuality to get an immigration visa to certain western countries where homosexuality is legal.

Often when news regarding skills shortages are reported, overlooked occupations are not mentioned. For example, even though the official UK skills shortage list doesn't mention it, there is a need for skilled trades people in plumbing.

When applying for a U.S. green card, a person must have an Affidavit of Support. This is a document required by a green card applicant that any American citizen sponsoring them must submit. Usually this is a relative, and is used to prove that the applicant will have financial support so that they don't end up on public assistance once in the U.S.