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No decision has yet been made regarding access rights by Romanians and Bulgarians to the UK labor market when they join the EU. Evaluation of the UK's labor market and the impact of the previous EU expansion will affect the decision, which will be made after the date of accession is confirmed.

Romania appealed to Britain to not impose restrictions on Romanian workers in Britain. Bulgaria and Romania have been expecting the same "open-door" policy for the EU-27 as was used during the EU-25 expansion in 2004.

The Business for New Europe Group in Britain (NEGB), comprised of leaders from some of Britain's biggest businesses are pressuring the Government for an "open-door" policy toward Bulgarians and Romanians. The two former Eastern Bloc states are scheduled to join the European Union on January 1st, 2007.

Due to 17 consecutive interest rate increases in recent years, U.S. economic growth will likely remain below previous forecasts of 3.25% during 2007. The slowing U.S. housing market along with rising energy costs is keeping growth down. Unemployment is down slightly, job growth is slightly up, and wage rate increases are up from a year ago.

Meaningful discussion about immigration reform in the U.S. has halted legislation seven weeks prior to the mid-term election. In response, individual States have begun passing their own immigration-related legislation. The move is controversial, since the Federal government has explicit jurisdiction; some, or even many, of the new laws are likely to end up in courtrooms.

In June 2005, New Zealand established the Immigration Profiling Group. Its purpose is national security, which targets a secret list of countries by reviewing visa applications, among other activities. Visa rejections have increased dramatically in the past 16 months, most of which were due to non-security related irregularities in the applications. The group is retroactively examining applications back to 2003.

In the final week of August, Australia welcomed 61 refugee family units, consisting of over 200 individuals. 105 had been waiting in refugee camps for several years. Australia's refugee and humanitarian program is ongoing, with 13,000 places available each year.

Canada has stepped forward to offer refugee status and asylum for persons displaced from Lebanon. In a competitive global market for highly skilled refugees, university researchers, students and professionals in many occupations represent a significant and valued ''brain gain.''

Latest immigration news

Spain, France, Italy to make joint migration proposal

On 05 September, the prime ministers of Spain and Italy agreed to present a migration proposal, along with France, to an informal European Union (EU) summit set for next month, the Spanish government said in a statement. more »

UK urged to open its doors to Romanians

Romania appealed to Britain recently to allow its citizens to travel and work freely in the UK when their country joins the European Union. more »

US economic and jobs statistics for August

During the past several months there have been numerous questions and concerns about the state of the U.S. economy. Predicting all or many aspects of the American job market and closely associated economy is a formidable, professional task. more »

New Zealand Immigration Profiling Group tightens border control

Statistics released during August indicate that potential visitors to New Zealand are being turned away in larger percentages as border controls tighten. more »

States in the US passing their own immigration laws

Frustrated by election year political rhetoric that has virtually halted meaningful discussion about immigration reform, individual states and cities within the United States are passing their own regulations. more »

Jamaica inks deal to pre-screen immigrants from India

The government of Jamaica has entered into an agreement with the government of India to set up a pre-screening program for persons seeking work in the tropical island nation. more »

UK "open-door" policy may not apply to Romania and Bulgaria

Bulgarian and Romanian migrants will have to show they can fill skill gaps before being allowed to work in the UK, according to reports. more »

Canada gladly accepts highly qualified refugees from Lebanon

Thousands of the best and the brightest living in Lebanon have been displaced by the recent conflict. Canada has stepped forward immediately to offer refuge status and, in some cases, asylum to many in hopes of bringing in some of the most educated and skilled. more »

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