Immigration news

In the UK, Tony Blair's government was defeated by the House of Lords on March 6 over the controversial issue of national identity cards.

The peers voted by a majority of 61 to overturn the government's plan and make the cards voluntary. The bill will now return to the House of Commons for further debate. Both houses must reach agreement for the measure to become law.

Under government proposals, the cards would not be mandatory at first. Anyone applying for or renewing a passport, however, would have to pay for an identity card as well from 2008.

The 'China towns' of Toronto and Sydney, kebabs in Berlin, or the excellent Indian cuisine in London are now a daily reality for those who live in these cities. But immigration in Australia, Canada and Europe has given life to multiculturally diverse societies. Apart from the gastronomic benefits, what are the pivotal points of the Canadian and Australian models? Cafebabel.com presents an analysis.Sydney and Toronto: welcome to globalised cities

The UK today announced its new points system for immigration.

The Christian Science Monitor this week reports on the serious nursing deficit in the United States.

The joke circulating among doctors in the Philippines goes something like this: What's the new prerequisite for getting into nursing school? An MD.

Skilled migrants to Australia will soon be able to sponsor same sex partners to come to Australia, Immigration Minister Amanda Vanstone said.

She said citizens and permanent residents can currently sponsor same sex partners to migrate to Australia but skilled migrants were not offered the same provisions. She said this soon would be changed so skilled migrants could include same sex partners on their visa application.

Fewer South Koreans are choosing to immigrate from South Korea, due mainly to the country's economic development, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said on March 6.

A total of 8,277 citizens emigrated last year, down from 9,759 in 2004, 11,584 in 2001 and 15,917 in 1995, according to the ministry's data.

"The reduction seems attributable to South Korea's economic growth and continued tightening of foreign countries' immigration-related regulations," a ministry official said.