Immigration news

France's interior minister will submit a draft law this week that proposes an immigration system that would reward skilled and educated applicants, and make it easier to expel unwanted foreign workers.

"We no longer want an immigration that is inflicted (on us) but an immigration that is chosen, this is the founding principle of the new immigration policy I advocate," Nicolas Sarkozy told Le Journal du Dimanche. "The system of integration the French way no longer works."

Sarkozy will present the details of his draft law on immigration to an inter-ministry committee later this week.

Rural communities in Manitoba, Canada are experiencing immigration growth, despite recent statistics showing a marked decrease in Manitoba's population.In the first three quarters of 2005, 17,867 Manitobans left the province for other parts of Canada while 11,656 people moved to the province, according to Statistics Canada. But thanks to a successful government program, the population drain isn't as bad as it could be.

Landlords are expecting a rise in demand for rental property as more people choose to move to the UK from other countries.Following the last wave of EU accession in May 2004, businesses have reported a particularly significant rise in the number of Polish people looking for accommodation. Immigration is expected to receive a further boost if Romania and Bulgaria's applications are ratified.Paragon Mortgages' most recent Buy-to-Let Trends survey found that 23 per cent of professional landlords with large numbers of renta properties expected rental demand to increase this year.

US President George W. Bush has urged the Congress to raise the number of H-1B visas that allow companies to hire foreign workers for scientific and high-tech jobs.

The number of skilled migrants who already have jobs or job offers when they are shortlisted for New Zealand residency has increased since tougher criteria were introduced.

The qualifying bar for the skilled migrant category was raised from 100 to 140 points in December 2005. Applicants with between 100 and 140 points can also qualify if they have a job or job offer and enough places are available.

Yesterday, the Immigration Service gave out statistics from the first selection round since the changes.

Construction industry leaders from British Columbia (B.C.), Canada are hoping that skilled trades workers from Europe can help solve the province's skilled labour shortage.

Next month, Vancouver Regional Construction Association (VRCA) president Keith Sashaw will travel to Europe to promote B.C. construction-job opportunities Germany, England and Scotland. He hopes to recruit journeymen-level employees who can help meet increasing demand for workers on Olympic, major infrastructure and other projects.