Immigration news

Foreign-born children adopted by Canadians would be made instant citizens under legislation to be announced by the federal government.

Ottawa says the move is about treating adopted children equally and erasing legal distinctions that make them different from biological children. Immigration Minister Joe Volpe confirmed earlier this month that he will introduce a bill this fall and said he hopes opposition parties will agree to pass it immediately.

"An adopted child is the same as a biological child and we're going to make changes that reflect that."

Dozens of special citizenship ceremonies will be held in communities across Canada from October 17 to 23 as part of the country's Citizenship Week festivities. Close to 1,800 newcomers from all over the world will take the citizenship oath during these ceremonies, and many Canadians will reaffirm their pride in being Canadian citizens.

"I encourage everyone to join in this year's Citizenship Week celebrations and express their pride in being part of the great Canadian family," said Immigration Minister Joe Volpe.

The UK has released a managed migration consultation document. Click on the PDF file to view the consultation document in its entirety as released by the UK Home Office. Consultation document (PDF format)

The new scheme, to be introduced next spring, includes a five-tier point system for migrants, ranging from easy access and full residence rights for the most highly skilled and those with large sums to invest. Only the top two tiers of workers will be allowed to bring families or have the chance to settle in Britain after five years.

The UK recently released its managed migration document, and the government wants to know your opinion. Once you've reviewed the document (provided in the previous news story), please let us know how you would answer some of the UK government's questions:

Do the benefits of immigration outweigh its costs?

Can a managed migration system be used to deliver the UK the workers it needs?

Is the current system too complex and bureaucratic?

Should the users of the system, or the taxpayer, or both bear the costs of the immigration system?

Send us your thoughts.

When were all 18-year-olds given the right to vote in the UK? In which order in the calendar do the four UK national saints' days fall? Now dozens of immigrants keen to make the UK their permanent home will have to answer questions like these to prove they are suitable citizens. As of November 1, anyone wanting to apply for British citizenship will have to answer a quiz drawn up by the Government.Based on the 150-page Life in the United Kingdom guide, the test questions would-be citizens on history, law, society and manners in the UK.

The Canadian government has announced a number of new measures to quicken the immigration process for family members of Canadian citizens seriously affected by the earthquake.