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Welcome to Bulgaria and Romania, the newest members of the European Union. 22 million Romanians and 8 million Bulgarians became European Union citizens on 01 January 2007. The EU now consists of 27 Member States, and represents nearly half a billion citizens. Croatia may be allowed to join in 2010. Further EU expansion is highly controversial.

Farmers Branch, Texas is the latest U.S. city to enact tough local immigration laws, and it is also the latest city to face litigation over these laws. The controversial city council ordinance would require local landlords to verify the residency status of tenants or face penalties. Residents have filed a petition that will either lead to a public vote or the City Council repealing the law. At the same time, local civil liberties groups have filed lawsuits questioning the constitutionality of the statute.

In the weeks just prior to Christmas, a prank website questioned Santa's immigration status for a town in the U.S. Hazelton, Pennsylvania passed a number of unusually harsh anti-immigration laws in the U.S. during 2006. The website parodied the measures with fake news and showed that the laws effectively banned Santa from obtaining a visa.

High-tech industry interests in the United States are lobbying Congress to change immigration policies to favor an increase in skilled immigrant quotas. Specifically targeted is the H-1B program, currently seen as too restrictive. Companies allege that they cannot currently fill needed job positions.

The U.S. Congress has begun working on a bipartisan draft for a new immigration reform bill. The New Democratic-controlled 110th Congress will attempt to vote on a Senate version in April or May of 2007, while a House version might be passed during the summer.

On 01 January 2007, Slovenia became Europe's first former communist country to adopt the euro as its official currency. Slovenia is the 13th member of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU). All new EU nations are required to changeover to the euro eventually.

The provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan in Canada are experiencing a shortage of nurses, doctors and health care professionals. This has led to temporary closures and reduced levels of service. The government and nursing unions are aggressively recruiting and training professionals from around the world and offering pay and benefit incentives to attract more people.

Latest immigration news

US - petition and lawsuit challenge anti-immigrant ordinance in Texas

The city of Farmers Branch, Texas is one of dozens of municipalities around the United States that, frustrated with federal deadlock on immigration reform, adopted tough measures on illegal immigration last year. more »

Slovenia - 13th European State to (officially) convert to euro ( ? )

On 01 January 2007, Slovenia has become Europe's first former communist country to adopt the euro ( ? ) as its official currency. It is also the first of the ten States that joined to form the EU-25 in May 2004. more »

Latvian & Estonian "non-citizens:" visa-free travel for most of EU-27

As of 19 January, "non-citizens" of Latvia and Estonia will be able to travel without visas to Norway, Iceland and European Union Member Sates, excepting Great Britain and Ireland. more »

Canada - Alberta & Saskatchewan short of nurses and doctors

Over the past several months there have been reports of shortages for doctors and nurses in several regions of Canada. In some cases, hospitals have been closing down beds on some days and some surgeries have been rescheduled. more »

Australia extends multiple-entry visas for six Gulf countries

In early December, the Australian government announced that it will extend to two full years the validity of multiple-entry visas for six countries from the oil-rich Gulf region in the Middle East. more »

Biometric Greek passports required for the New Year

The government of Greece this year announced that Greek passports issued prior to 01 January 2006 will no longer be valid from 01 January 2007. During 2006, anyone holding a non-biometric passport needed to get a new one. more »

US high-tech companies lobbying Congress for immigration changes

Advanced technology industrial interests in the United States are lobbying members of Congress to change immigration policies toward highly skilled immigrants.

Some recent studies are being used to support the case that U.S. high-tech industries are suffering as they compete against other countries in the technology boom these past several years. more »

The US Congress will begin immigration reform, again

Democratic lawmakers and their Republican allies are working on measures to draft a bipartisan immigration reform bill for the United States. The Congress has generally fallen into disfavor with the American public, with the dismal failure of any significant leadership or progress on immigration reform during 2006 being one of the more prominent topics. more »

Record illegal immigrant landing sparks debate in Italy

Nearly 650 illegal immigrants crammed in a 25-meter, old and leaky fishing boat, reaching the Italian island of Sicily on 19 December and sparking criticisms of the center-left government's immigration policies. more »

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