Current Event #5

Britain is trying to pass immigration reform. Prime Minister David Cameron says the goal is to reduce the number of immigrants coming into Britain from 250k to under 100k. Britain plans to do this by increasing the requirements for foreign workers and students to get visas to live in the country, and by imposing a 6-ear limit on those granted visas, with exceptions being made for those in difficult to fill positions, doing high level research,  having PhDs, etc. Opponents point to the guest worker program in West Germany during the 1970s and 1980s, which ultimately did little more than increase tensions between ethnic groups. Opponents also point to the fact that it will be difficult to get immigrants who have established themselves as a part of British society, married, had children, etc. to leave after 6 years.  These proposed changes are scheduled to take place in 2016, which is the year after the next election in 2015.