If you live in our Country, you contribute to our Country
Since I came out to the United States of America 2 months ago (for a year long course in Economics and Politics), I have learnt numerous things that would benefit our country (which I will post on this site over the next year or so). One of those policies, which I feel Britain most certainly (if not immediately) needs, is the implementation of an American style immigration system.
Currently, within the United Kingdom, if an individual/alien from a foreign country crosses our borders and intends to live within the United Kingdom, they are not required to hold any skills or economic contributions to our society. Instead, they are entitled to claim asylum and live on government benefits which cost the tax payer millions of pounds a year (Abu Hamza being a perfect example; currently attaining over $40,000 a year in unemployment/disability benefits). Still to this very day, this is something which new Labour refuse to tackle (despite it costs us an extortionate amount of money, and yet our NHS and public services are suffering as a consequence).
So it leads us to this question…if the British government cannot think of a way to solve this situation, who can? Well, the answer is the very country from which I am typing this post right now….America.
Under American legislation (referring to the citizenship of immigrants and dispatch of immigrant visa’s), no immigrant is allowed to enter the country unless they intend to seek full time employment within the economy, and in doing so, such full time work must be of relatively high demand by employers and businesses. The same situation also applies to America’s great northern neighbour, Canada…except in addition, all immigrants who wish to apply for permanent settlement must contribute a certain sum into the economy upon arrival (bearing at least a few thousand dollars).
To me, this seems the exact policy that our government needs to adopt within the United Kingdom. Our easy going immigration laws (and even more lenient benefit system) are the very reasons why we have a significant problem with asylum applications and illegal immigration today. Every person who I have spoke to in the United States so far cannot believe how we allow anybody and everybody into our country free of charge, with no requirements to apply for benefits, and allow our government to accommodate them at the British tax payers expense. In my opinion, if you want to live in our country, you contribute to our country, ie: Britain cannot afford any more payments for asylum claims on the scale it is currently enduring. Therefore, we need to adopt an American style (even Australian style) immigration system, whereby you can only apply for permanent residence if you have particular skills that are required for our economy, and intend to use those particular skills in full time employment. Indeed, those of you of the centre-left spectrum may disagree with this proposal, but inevitably, there is no doubt that this would eventually benefit the British public, and the UK economy itself.
America's Green Card System: a system which Britain needs to adopt?
Currently, within the United Kingdom, if an individual/alien from a foreign country crosses our borders and intends to live within the United Kingdom, they are not required to hold any skills or economic contributions to our society. Instead, they are entitled to claim asylum and live on government benefits which cost the tax payer millions of pounds a year (Abu Hamza being a perfect example; currently attaining over $40,000 a year in unemployment/disability benefits). Still to this very day, this is something which new Labour refuse to tackle (despite it costs us an extortionate amount of money, and yet our NHS and public services are suffering as a consequence).
So it leads us to this question…if the British government cannot think of a way to solve this situation, who can? Well, the answer is the very country from which I am typing this post right now….America.
Under American legislation (referring to the citizenship of immigrants and dispatch of immigrant visa’s), no immigrant is allowed to enter the country unless they intend to seek full time employment within the economy, and in doing so, such full time work must be of relatively high demand by employers and businesses. The same situation also applies to America’s great northern neighbour, Canada…except in addition, all immigrants who wish to apply for permanent settlement must contribute a certain sum into the economy upon arrival (bearing at least a few thousand dollars).
To me, this seems the exact policy that our government needs to adopt within the United Kingdom. Our easy going immigration laws (and even more lenient benefit system) are the very reasons why we have a significant problem with asylum applications and illegal immigration today. Every person who I have spoke to in the United States so far cannot believe how we allow anybody and everybody into our country free of charge, with no requirements to apply for benefits, and allow our government to accommodate them at the British tax payers expense. In my opinion, if you want to live in our country, you contribute to our country, ie: Britain cannot afford any more payments for asylum claims on the scale it is currently enduring. Therefore, we need to adopt an American style (even Australian style) immigration system, whereby you can only apply for permanent residence if you have particular skills that are required for our economy, and intend to use those particular skills in full time employment. Indeed, those of you of the centre-left spectrum may disagree with this proposal, but inevitably, there is no doubt that this would eventually benefit the British public, and the UK economy itself.
America's Green Card System: a system which Britain needs to adopt?
posted by James.R.Skinner at 1:49 am
6 political comments
