Immigration news

Potential immigrants to the Netherlands will be faced with a film showing two men kissing in a park, and a woman in a topless swimsuit, after Wednesday of this week.

The DVD is part of a new entrance test designed to determine if applicants are open to the socially liberal views of the country. Their reaction to the footage will be recorded and used as part of the evaluation process.

Only applicants from predominantly Muslim countries such as the Middle East and Asia will have to view the film. People seeking entrance from other EU countries, the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Japan will be exempt.

The UK Home Office has announced important changes in Immigration Rules, which will affect people applying for leave to remain, and indefinite leave to remain (or settlement). The changes will take effect from 3 April this year. The changes, in summary, are:

Hoisting American flags into the air, tens of thousands of immigrants from the Chicago area marched downtown in a display of support for immigrant rights as a bill to stiffen border enforcement awaits action in the U.S. Senate.

Many took up enthusiastic chants like "Si, se puede (Yes, it can be done)" and "La raza unida nunca sera vencida (A people united will never be defeated)."

The mostly Latino marchers Friday descended upon the plaza across from the federal courthouse, where they listened to speeches backing pro-immigrant legislation.

More than 3000 highly skilled British citizens have pre-registered to attend the Opportunities New Zealand Expo held in London later this month. The Expo brings together New Zealand employers and experienced professionals who are dedicated to moving to New Zealand.

Over 200 New Zealanders from 40 businesses and organizations such as Statistics New Zealand, Teach NZ and Opus and will head to London to recruit skilled British and expatriate workers.

The UK's Heathrow Airport has extended its use of iris-scanning technology to speed up immigration checks.

The Iris Recognition Immigration System (IRIS) is currently being tested at the airport as part of the Home Office e-Borders program. Individuals signed up to the scheme will be able to walk up to an automated barrier, look into a camera, and if the system recognizes them, enter the UK.

Women make up nearly half of the immigrant population world-wide as more and more of them take on greater responsibility for their family's welfare. Of the 180,000,000 international immigrants, almost half are women, many of whom are coming alone without their partners. This is a new trend in immigration patterns. More women are migrating on their own in search of better job markets. The incorporation of women into the paid workforce is one cause behind the rise of women in international immigration.