Obama presses Mexico to help prevent illegal immigration surge
President Obama pressed Mexico’s president on Tuesday to work alongside the U.S. government to prevent a new surge of illegal immigrants.
Republicans weigh options on immigration
House GOP leaders huddled with rank-and-file members Wednesday in search of a strategy for blocking President Obama's recent executive action on immigration policy.
London and Berlin Debate on Immigration, Ukraine and G7 Summit
London (Prensa Latina) British Prime Minister David Cameron, today analyze topics related to immigration in the European Union (EU), the Ukrainian crisis and the next G-7 summit with the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, visiting this capital.
Lebanon imposes new visa restrictions on Syrians fleeing civil war
BEIRUT (AP) - Lebanon turned back Syrians trying to cross the border Monday under strict new visa regulations, saying it simply cannot handle any more people displaced by the ongoing civil war.
James Dyson slams Theresa May's plan to kick out foreign students
The entrepreneur is banging his drum again about the Government's 'shortsighted vote chasing'. Shame more don't join him.
Illegal Immigration from Cuba to U.S. Increased 117% in December
MIAMI – A total of 481 illegal Cuban immigrants reached or were found on U.S. territory in December 2014, a 117 percent increase compared to the same month a year ago, the U.S. Coast Guard has reported.
Anti-Immigration Movement in Germany Reignites Debate Over National Identity
BERLIN — The appearance of thousands of anti-immigrant marchers in Dresden has galvanized both sides of the immigration debate in Germany and reignited a discussion about national identity.
UK: Fall in students from India and Pakistan as immigration rules bite
Drop in Indian and Pakistani students of 23.5% and 13.4% partly due to growing perception that Britain is not a welcoming place.
Angela Merkel to hold talks with David Cameron months after immigration spat
German Chancellor Angela Merkel will visit Britain next week for talks with Prime Minister David Cameron.
Republicans ready to block immigration order as its supporters vow to fight back
Sen. Ted Cruz has vowed to make the road to implementing the executive order on immigration very rough for President Barack Obama – so rough, that perhaps the destination will not be reached.
Obama to discuss immigration with Mexico’s president at White House
Less than two months after granting deportation amnesty to millions of illegal immigrants, President Obama will huddle with Mexico’s president Tuesday seeking ways to prevent more migrants from crossing the U.S. border in search of a free pass.
New York City Immigration Advocates Announce Goals to Achieve in 2015
New York- Immigration advocates are hoping to accomplish big things for the roughly 750,000 illegal immigrants living in New York State.
'Racist' protesters march against Islam and immigration in Germany
Protesters marched in several German cities on Monday against higher levels of immigration and what they see as the growing influence of Islam, in defiance of an appeal from Chancellor Angela Merkel to spurn rallies she views as racist.
Swedish residents 'love-bomb' Uppsala mosque in outpouring of support after attacks
The day before anti-Muslim messages had been scrawled on the building and a failed Molotov cocktail thrown.
Euro and Immigration Promise Challenges for Merkel in 2015
BERLIN — Although she is still popular at home and respected abroad, Chancellor Angela Merkel is entering 2015 facing fresh challenges in both arenas.
Israeli immigration intake sees 'historical shift'
Israeli Defense Minister, Moshe Ya'alon, left, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, at the cabinet meeting at the defense ministry in Tel Aviv, Israel, Thursday, July 31, 2014.
US: This year, millions will be free from worry of deportation as new immigration rules take effect
Washington — President Obama’s new immigration policies could affect as many as 5 million people, including the possibility of a three-year reprieve from the threat of deportation for parents of children with legal status.
Customs officers to be armed at Australian airports as immigration crackdown begins
Government officers protecting Australian airports will soon be allowed to carry weapons as part of the move to establish the Australian Border Force.
Want to move to Canada? Express Entry immigration system launched
The Conservative government’s overhaul of Canada’s immigration system hits a milestone on Wednesday with the launch of a new system for selecting economic immigrants.
Canada changes immigration rules to fast-track skilled workers
The Canadian federal government is revamping its immigration system, with a new fast-track computerised programme taking effect from January 1.
The New Reality Of U.S. Immigration
The $1.1 trillion spending bill the Senate passed this month will fund most of the federal government through September 2015—with the notable exception of the Department of Homeland Security, whose funding expires in February.
Immigration a 'losing game' according to German economist
President of the Ifo Institute for Economic Research, Hans-Werner Sinn, has challenged a study claiming immigrants are bringing money to Germany. The economist said Germany is a "magnet for unqualified immigrants." Hans-Werner Sinn.
Young voters care about living costs, not immigration or EU
A report finds undecided young people may hold the key to the general election. And they care more about online privacy and housing than immigration and the EU.
Immigration beats economy as number one worry for UK voters
Immigration is the most important political issue to voters, pollsters say Public are more worried about Britain's borders than finances, YouGov say It's the first time since 2010 that the economy hasn't been the biggest issue.
Sweden can’t avoid debate on immigration, analysts say
STOCKHOLM (AFP)– Sweden may have narrowly avoided snap elections that would have been dominated by a debate on immigration, but with asylum seekers arriving in record numbers the issue is unlikely to stay off the agenda for long, analysts say.
Germany needs immigration, Finance Minister says after anti-asylum rallies
BERLIN (Reuters) - German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said on Saturday that immigration is good for the country and politicians must explain better that everyone stands to gain from it, in response to the rise of a new movement opposing an influx of Muslim immigrants.
Canadian Visa Expert Prepares for 2015 Express Entry Immigration Changes
Starting January 1, 2015, Canadian Visa Expert will prepare its customers for an improved immigration system called Express Entry to Canada; a system that will manage and expedite the selection process of Permanent Residence visa applications within six months or less.
Pakistan working to tackle illegal immigration, enhance bilateral ties: Senate chairman
Muscat - The Chairman of Pakistan’s Senate has said that his country is working to curb illegal immigration, especially with respect to the Gulf. In an interview with Muscat Daily, Syed Nayyer Hussain Bokhari, also talked about measures to protect and promote welfare of Pakistan’s blue collar workers in the region.
U.S. farmers brace for labor shortage under new immigration policy
Fresno, California(AP) – Farmers already scrambling to find workers in California — the leading U.S. grower of fruits, vegetables and nuts — fear an even greater labor shortage under President Barack Obama’s executive action to block some 5 million people from deportation.
Estonia offers e-residency to foreigners
By the end of the year, people living anywhere in the world will be able to become ‘digital citizens’ without entering the physical country. But what does this mean? Nabeelah Shabbir reports.
After 522 Years, Spain Seeks To Make Amends For Expulsion Of Jews
Children gather outside the El Transito synagogue and Sephardic Museum in Toledo, Spain. Founded in 1357, the synagogue was converted into a church following the expulsion of Jews from Spain in 1492. Spain is now preparing to pass a law that would allow descendants of the expelled Jews to receive Spanish citizenship.
Swedish official condemns mosque arson attack as 'foul'
Swedish ministers have condemned Thursday's arson attack on a mosque in the southeastern Swedish town of Eskilstuna, which injured five people.
Swedish mosque attacked on Christmas Day amid national immigration debate
An arsonist has set fire to a mosque in a town in central Sweden on Christmas Day, an incident which comes amid an intense debate over immigration.
Little noticed in immigration overhaul: government hiring rush
Only 10 days after President Barack Obama announced in a prime-time address that millions of undocumented people would soon "be able to apply to stay in this country temporarily without fear of deportation," an electronic bulletin reached inboxes across Washington.
Insight: Tragedy of Africa’s immigrants on Europe’s borders
Just across the sea from the sunny tourist beaches of southern Spain where many Europeans spend their Christmas holidays, a violent crisis is intensifying on Europe’s borders with Africa.
Hong Kong: Fifty-six immigration offenders arrested
The Immigration Department and the Hong Kong Police Force jointly mounted a series of anti-illegal employment operations codenamed Windsand on December 22, 23 and 24 in New Territories North District.
US testing GPS-enabled ankle bracelets to track undocumented migrants
Immigration officials have launched a program in Texas’ Rio Grande Valley to give GPS devices to parents caught crossing the Mexican border illegally with their children.
US : Immigration action jolts '16 races
President Obama's recent overhaul of his deportation rules has electrified the largely partisan debate over immigration policy heading into the next Congress.
Hawaiians cheer President Obama’s immigration actions
Returning to his native Hawaii for his winter vacation, Obama was greeted by a handful of supporters who cheered him for his executive actions on immigration. The group, Hawaii Coalition for Immigration Reform, braved rain and wind Monday to hold signs thanking the president for his decision to shield up to several million undocumented immigrants from deportation.
Immigration lawsuit against Obama by ‘America’s toughest sheriff’ dismissed
A federal judge has thrown out a lawsuit brought against Barack Obama by an Arizona police chief who called the US president’s sweeping immigration reforms unconstitutional.
77% of Highly Skilled Moroccans Ready to Leave Morocco: Survey
Rabat(MWN) – A recent poll suggested that the majority of highly-trained Moroccans have expressed readiness to leave Morocco and work abroad.
China, Thailand to set up fight against illegal immigration
BEIJING (Reuters) - China and Thailand have agreed to step up their cooperation in the fight against illegal immigration and terror, the Chinese government said on Wednesday, as Thailand deals with an influx of Uighurs from China's unruly far western region of Xinjiang.
New Mexico builders discuss immigration overhaul
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - New Mexico construction companies are working with immigration rights advocates to discuss how a newly announced overhaul will affect their industry.
Canada launches pilot program for spouses waiting for permanent residency
Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander has instructed immigration officials to launch a one-year pilot program that will allow inland spousal sponsorship applicants to receive a work permit more quickly, Kevin Ménard told CBC News in an email.
Record numbers rally against 'Islamisation' in Germany
A record 17,000 anti-Islamic protesters rallied for their tenth demonstration in as many weeks Monday in eastern Germany, celebrating the rise of their far-right populist movement by singing Christmas carols.
Sweden’s snap election turns up heat under immigration rhetoric
Einstein is being invoked these days in Stockholm. His probably apocryphal saying that insanity is doing the same thing again and again while expecting different results has a special resonance in Swedish politics.
Canada Wants Refugees to Go West
Government Aims to Use Immigration Policy to Support Economic Growth
UK Home Secretary Theresa May to send foreign students back home under new plans
Overseas students could be sent back to their home countries after their courses finish under new plans reportedly being considered by Home Secretary Theresa May.
2014 in immigration: from EU arrivals to Ukip defections
It began the year as a relatively quiet issue. Then along came the Ukip surge, a shock European election and two Conservative defections. Here we look back at the last 12 months of immigration.
With Cuba and immigration, Obama takes a new look at Latin America
President Barack Obama has -- in just a few weeks and in spectacular fashion -- turned the tables on US policy toward Latin America, neglected by Washington for much of this century, AFP reports.
Iran and Morocco to Resume Diplomatic Relationships.
The head of the Iranian republic Hassan Rouhani has finally approved the proposal made by the Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammed Jawad Darif calling for the appointment of seven new ambassadors in a number of countries, including Morocco.
Belgium Closes its General Consulate in Casablanca
Rabat (MWN)- The General Consulate of Belgium in Casablanca will be closing its doors temporarily and reorganized for financial reasons, according to a press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belgium.
Nine Migrants Die Off Tangier's Coast
Rabat(Map) – Nine migrants died, including 3 babies, when their inflatable boat sank off the northern coats of Tangier and Fnideq, local authorities said.
IOM has chosen this year Morocco to celebrate International Migrants Day. This is a strong sign lavished by the international organization for Morocco, both a country of emigration and a land of immigration.
Swiss voters reject gold, immigration proposals
Swiss voters rejected a referendum requiring their central bank to hold a portion of its assets in gold, a measure President Thomas Jordan termed an "invitation to speculators" that could have hurt the economy. Bullion fell to a three-week low.
Denmark passes dual citizenship bill
Thursday marked "a great day for expats" as the Danish parliament agreed to implement dual citizenship. The Local spoke to supporters and detractors of dual citizenship about the change.
New US ties with Cuba won't change immigration rules
Washington (AP)— Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson says the Obama administration's decision to renew diplomatic ties with Cuba won't impact immigration rules just yet.
Immigration Is Driving Broad Demographic Shifts In U.S., Report Says
Native-born Americans are making up a smaller percentage of those living in some areas of the U.S. as immigration moves to become the key factor in population growth within the next quarter-century, according to a new analysis by the Pew Charitable Trusts that examined county-level census data.
Australia's New Immigration Law Shifts Regional Focus to Security
This week's passing into law of Australia's Migration and Maritime Powers Legislation Amendment Act, which comes on the heels of a year of tightened border controls and refugee intake policy changes, could chill regional cooperation. Experts say it reflects global trends of treating migration as a security problem, and acknowledging that might be an important avenue for Southeast Asian regional policy development.
Dutch far right politician Wilders to be tried for anti-Moroccan comments
Lawmaker Geert Wilders is to face prosecution for inciting racial hatred after a speech calling for "fewer Moroccans" in the Netherlands. Wilders has said he stands by his comments.
Estonian government increases immigration quota
The Estonian government set with its decree the Estonian 2015 immigration quota at 1,322 persons, which forms 0.1% of Estonia's permanent population, LETA/Public Broadcasting reports.
John Lydon on Ukip: 'Their talk about immigration is subdued racism'
John Lydon is no fan of Ukip, having previously described the party as “a black hole for the ignorant to fall into”.
Canada seeks 50 millionaires for test of immigration program
Vancouver, (Reuters) - Canada is looking for 50 wealthy foreigners to join a pilot run of an immigration program for millionaires, although applicants will have to be far richer than those who entered under a previous scheme and will also need language skills to get in.
Switzerland's Emphatic Rejection of Immigration Cap is Hugely Positive for Expats, says Interdean
The reaction follows the news that the referendum on immigration has been comfortably rejected by its population, ensuring expatriates from across the world can continue to make the most of the European country.
Europe's main leaders far apart on immigration
In less than three weeks, Britain's David Cameron and France's Francois Hollande have set out starkly contrasting approaches to immigration, while Angela Merkel has warned fellow Germans against manipulation by far-right xenophobes.
Denmark: Eritrea Immigration Report Deeply Flawed
A Danish immigration report on Eritrea that suggests changing refugee policy for Eritrean asylum seekers is deeply flawed. Denmark and other European governments should await the outcome of the United Nations Commission of Inquiry on Eritrea, established in June 2014, before considering any major policy changes concerning Eritrea.
Obama's immigration actions ruled unconstitutional
A federal judge in Pennsylvania has ruled President Barack Obama's recent executive actions on immigration unconstitutional, but the decision came in a criminal case, leaving its broader impact uncertain.
Hollande hails benefits of immigration in swipe at Sarkozy
French President François Hollande delivered a rare and passionate defence of the benefits of immigration as he formally inaugurated France’s first immigration museum, seven years after its hushed opening under his predecessor, Nicolas Sarkozy.
Nearly 50% of Danes Disapprove of Radical Tone of National Debate on Immigration
(Sputnik) — Approximately 50 percent of Danish citizens consider the tone of the national debate on foreigners too radical, but the overall attitude toward immigration remains negative among the majority of Danes, the Local Denmark said Monday.
More Immigration Needed to Bolster Korean Workforce, Study Says
South Korea might need as many as 15 million immigrants—equivalent to a third of its current population–by 2060 to make up for a shrinking workforce and sustain growth, according to a Seoul-based private think tank.
German government wants 'open' debate about immigration
BERLIN (AP) — Chancellor Angela Merkel warned Germans on Monday not to be duped by far-right rhetoric, amid concern about the growing number of people flocking to anti-Islam demonstrations in the country.
Obama braces for immigration battle with GOP
President Obama is bracing for a political and legal battle with Republicans next year over his executive actions on immigration, but as he seeks to rally support against the anticipated assault, a lingering frustration among some Latinos could mean renewed pressure on him to do even more to protect illegal immigrants.
The Sydney showdown and Australia’s debate over immigration and asylum
The man behind the deadly 16-hour hostage standoff in Sydney arrived in Australia as a refugee in 1996, seeking asylum from the Iranian regime. In the years since, Man Haron Monis became a self-styled cleric and fell afoul of the law on multiple occasions. He was out on bail after being charged last year as an accessory to the murder of his wife.
Immigration to the UK must be ‘properly managed’ said Labour leader Ed Miliband
British employers will face jail sentences if they employ immigrant labour on poorer conditions to locals if Labour wins power, the party’s leader, Ed Miliband has declared, in his latest bid to respond to voters’ fears.
#illridewithyou: hashtag offers solidarity with Sydney's Muslims after cafe siege
After concerns that people wearing Islamic dress could be harassed, Sydney locals have been using Twitter to offer to travel with them.
Immigrants look elsewhere as Spain's unemployment rate skyrockets
MALAGA, Spain — In 2000 Yasmina Bencherif moved with her parents from their home in Morocco to La Garriga, a town in the outskirts of Barcelona. She was one of many in that decade to look toward Spain for their future.
Undocumented Immigrants Line Up for Door Opened by Obama
LOS ANGELES — They pushed strollers, tugged toddlers and streamed into the convention center in the heart of this city on Sunday, thousands of immigrants here illegally and anxious to find out if they could gain protection from deportation under executive actions by President Obama.
France shaken up by Zemmour and 'new reactionaries'
There is a new intellectual force in France - giving shape and weight to ideas that challenge the disastrous post-1968 left-wing consensus.
The rise of the anti-immigrant Sweden Democrats: 'We don't feel at home any more, and it's their fault'
Sweden Democrats insist that they have shed their racist past. David Crouch goes to their stronghold in Kristianstad to find the truth about the party that brought down a government.
David Cameron's immigration 'attacks' condemned by European Union boss
Jean-Claude Juncker has slapped down David Cameron for his constant attacks on EU migrants.
Mediterranean, Arlem focus on macro-regions and immigration
(ANSAmed) - BRUSSELLS - The two main themes of the plenary Assembly of local and regional authorities of the Mediterranean (Arlem) scheduled on December 14 and 15 in Antalya, Turkey, will be new macro-regional strategies in the Mediterranean and a bigger say for local authorities in the management of immigration phenomena.
Germans want tougher stance from Merkel on immigration - poll
(Reuters) - A majority of Germans think Angela Merkel's government is paying too little attention to concern about immigration and asylum seekers that has prompted weekly marches in the city of Dresden, according to a poll.
Air Europa Opens Direct Flight Madrid-Ouarzazate
Ouarzazate (Map) – Spain's third largest airline, Air Europa, operated its first direct flight connecting Madrid to Ouarzazate in south-eastern Morocco on Thursday.
Russell Brand and Nigel Farage clash over immigration on Question Time
Comedian and campaigner Russell Brand has called UKIP leader Nigel Farage a "pound shop Enoch Powell", during a debate on immigration.
Serco company to continue running Australian immigration detention centres
Outsourcing company wins further five-year contract despite controversy over centres it runs, particularly on Christmas Island.
A brief history of immigration in Sweden
Sweden faces a snap election for the first time since 1958. The far-right Sweden Democrats refuse to cooperate with anyone that doesn't slash immigration.
Nearly half of U.S. states now suing President Obama over immigration order
AUSTIN, TEXAS (AP) – Four more states have joined a Texas-led coalition suing the Obama administration over executive action on immigration.
Arab activist freed awaiting immigration sentence
DETROIT (AP)-- A Chicago-area Arab community activist has been released from a Michigan jail to await her sentence for failing to tell U.S. immigration officials about her conviction for bombings that killed two people in Israel in 1969.
Crush in Calais tests French attitudes on immigration
PARIS — The French port city of Calais has become ground zero for an explosion in immigration, as asylum seekers blocked from crossing the English Channel to Britain settle into overcrowded, makeshift camps that have become their permanent homes.
President Obama's immigration executive order boosts his popularity among Latinos, poll shows
Latinos favor President Barack Obama’s executive action on immigration by a more than 2-to-1 margin, in contrast to a slight majority of Americans overall, who oppose it, according to a new Gallup poll.
Federal government includes Quebec immigration numbers on Syrian refugees
OTTAWA – The number of Syrian refugees brought to Canada in the past 18 months isn’t as abysmal as it could be – but that’s thanks largely to Quebec, which has its own immigration system.
Spain Worried by Demographic Shift in Ceuta and Melilla
Rabat – Spanish sovereignty over Ceuta and Melilla, two Spanish enclaves in northern Morocco, is threatened, says a new report from the Spanish Institute Elcano.
President Barack Obama promises reprieve with immigration reform
While President Barack Obama reassured a small audience of immigrants gathered in a Nashville community center Tuesday that his recent executive order would provide a reprieve from deportation, he also delivered what, by now, has become a regular challenge to Congress:
David Cameron backs immigration fund to help with demand on services
Prime Minister David Cameron has backed a new fund to help areas such as Boston cope with the demands placed on services by immigration.
Dresden protest reveals rising anger in Germany over immigration
A march in Dresden that drew 10,000 people has capped a winter of anti-immigration demonstrations in Germany’s cities and prompted condemnation from a nervous government.
A German political party wants immigrants to stop speaking foreign languages—even at home
Bavaria is renowned for its world-famous 'Oktoberfest' which attracts hundreds of thousands of foreigners each year. Last week, however, the Christian Social Union (CSU), which rules the state, made clear that only a certain type of foreigner is welcome to stay for longer: Those who speak German.
Australian Immigration Officers bully detainees to end hunger strike
The Refugee Action Coalition says a hunger strike by asylum seekers at Australia's detention centre in Papua New Guinea ended after intimidation from Australian immigration staff.
Morocco, Gateway To Africa: Mexico’s Deputy Foreign Secretary
Rabat(Map) – Morocco is a gateway to Africa and the Arab world, Mexico’s Deputy Foreign Secretary, Carlos de Icaza Gonzalez said.