Immigration news

A group of Kansas businesses in the US proposes a new program to help undocumented immigrants to be able to stay in the state so they can work in agriculture and in other industries with labour shortages.The business coalition consists of representatives from various agriculture groups and the Kansas Chamber of Commerce. The coalition's draft bill explained the details of its proposal which would create a group of immigrant workers that businesses could use after the state certifies a labor shortage in their industries.

The US Consulate General in Nigeria has announced that Nigerian applicants applying for US visas in Lagos, Nigeria will benefit from shorter visa processing times.

Australia is looking for immigrants to come work in their hospitality and tourism industry. These industries are short staffed; The Australian Government needs to attract 36,000 cooks, waiters, and bartenders as soon as possible.Immigration Minister Chris Bowen confirmed the government is also looking for another 56,000 hospitality workers to immigrate to Australia by 2015. Experts say high-paying mining jobs are luring away Australian workers from the retail, hospitality, and tourism industry.

UK immigration Minister Damian Green announced this week that the UK would be bringing in a more selective immigration policy that encourages the "brightest and best" to come to the UK.Specifically, Green said that the UK wants immigrants who can "benefit Britain". He committed to continue with more reforms that he says will result in an immigration system that he says will better meet the needs of the UK.

Immigrants will be banned from taking the UK driving test in their native language following an investigation into rogue translators who were helping them cheat their driving test.Following the investigation by the Driving Standards Agency, it was revealed that nearly 800 immigrant drivers have had their licences revoked over the past two years after supposedly being "coached" by translators.

Australia Day celebrations kicked off early last week with thousands of immigrants taking part in Australian affirmation ceremonies and citizenship ceremonies across the country. Australia Day is celebrated on 26 January and is the anniversary of the arrival of the First Fleet of ships from Great Britain and the raising of the Union Jack at Sydney Cove in 1788.