[lg policy] Britain to require spouses from outside the EU to know English

[Harold Schiffman]

Britain to require spouses from outside the EU to know English

12:00 AM CDT on Thursday, June 10, 2010
Jennifer Quinn, The Associated Press

LONDON – Love may have its own language, but that's not good enough
for the British government.

It wants English, too.

 Starting this fall, the spouse of a citizen who is coming from
outside the European Union and wants to live in Britain will have to
prove a basic command of English.

 The new coalition government led by Conservative Prime Minister David
Cameron  announced the move Wednesday. Countries across Europe have
been tightening immigration as concerns rise over unemployment rates
and the ability of newcomers to integrate.

The Netherlands was holding an election Wednesday in which a far-right
party that wants to ban all immigration from non-Western countries has
a shot at doubling its seats in Parliament.

In Britain, the government is casting the new policy as an effort to
promote integration – not to keep out foreigners.

 "The new English requirement for spouses will help promote
integration, remove cultural barriers and protect public services,"
Home Secretary Theresa May said.

Couples already have to meet other criteria, such as proving their
marriage is genuine and demonstrating they can support themselves
financially. And language tests are required for skilled workers and
people applying for permanent residency or citizenship.

The changes to Britain's rules follow a hard-fought general election
campaign in which immigration policy was a contentious issue.

The new measures have been criticized by civil libertarians, lawyers
and activists.

Jennifer Quinn, The Associated Press

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/world/stories/DN-immigration_10int.ART.State.Edition1.296e798.html

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