Immigration news

UK airlines are warning of potential delays at airports during Easter and during the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations due to tougher immigration checks at border control.The British Air Transport Association (BATA) is calling on UK ministers and the immigration department to increase staffing or consider a risk-based approach to screening specific passengers at passport control. BAA, which operates Heathrow airport, is also calling for extra staffing to deal with passport and visa checks, saying that immigration queues can become especially long during peak travel times.

A 2009 pilot scheme set up to help immigrants forced to leave relationships as a result of domestic violence is being made permanent, the UK Home Office has announced. The scheme provides help for immigrant spouses and partners who are victims of domestic violence. The pilot scheme, named the Sojourner Project, has already helped a total of 1,522 individuals, including 738 women with children. The program provides victims, who would otherwise have no access to public funds, with assistance to escape abuse and access important support services.

A new report proposes an overhaul to Australia's immigration detention process, recommending that refugee applications be processed within 90 days or the immigration minister forced to explain the delay. The final report, submitted by a Parliamentary Committee inquiry into the immigration system, details 31 recommendations regarding processing timeframes, staff training, and health services.

The UK Border Agency (UKBA) has confirmed that visas granted to visiting athletes, coaches and other officials for London's Olympics Games will bar them from forming any civil partnerships or from marrying while in the UK. A civil partnership in the UK is a relationship between two people of the same sex that is formed when they register as civil partners of each other. The UKBA announced they were imposing these restrictions amid concerns that illegal immigrants and terrorists will take advantage of the games to get into the country.

Australian Immigration and Citizenship Minister Chris Bowen announced on 2 April measures that will assist in matching Australian employers with skilled workers in the US to fill skill shortages in key sectors. The new measures will allow for much faster processing of skills assessments. Their hope is to lure more American plumbers, electricians and construction workers to immigrate to Australia.

Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney announced a new proposal that would change how foreign skilled workers' education credentials are assessed. The proposed new requirement would require applicants wishing to immigrate under the Federal Skilled Worker program to have their foreign education credentials assessed and verified before they arrive in Canada.