Quite frankly I see nothing wrong with that. I think if you want to become a citizen of a country the least that country can ask from you is to speak their language. Or should everyone in a foreign country learn your language instead?

I know there was a lot of discussion about immigration to the Netherlands because of the same thing, but I feel it's perfectly o.k. to ask this. They even ask you to take a test of cultures.

If Australia takes it one step further and asks immigrants to know Australias history I think it's still o.k. If someone wants to become a citizen, he/she should be able to identify with the country AND the culture.

Andre

That makes me think... forget about your plans to apply for migration to Australia.

There is the point system and most of the time, it is hard to reach the required no. of points unless you have a relative there or a job offer.

And now, for the culture/history test. That means I need to study a whole course on Austrlian culture? Well, I am not afraid of the English test, on the other hand.

One of my fears is that with the current fuss over illegal immigration, legal immigration will become even more difficult.  I'd absolutely hate to see the US do the same thing as New Zealand and Australia, and only accept English-speaking, well-educated people.  It would totally change the character of our country, I think, and definitely for the worse.  I'd do it the other way, and take in more of the poor and downtrodden.

Well, as a German living in the US, let me tell you that this whole thing has become harder in recent years.

On the other hand, I see nothing wrong with demanding that people speak english. Entire communities in my area only speak Chinese. Not only is this frustrating if I am in the area, it also tends to separate those people from all others. If someone speaks the language of whatever country he/she is in, they will be able to integrate very well. One example of what happens when integration fails was demonstrated during last years unrest in France.

Also I think there is nothing wrong with demanding immigrants to study the history and culture of their host country. They don't have do adopt the culture, but they need to understand it.

For instance, in Germany there are many nude beaches. This would be unacceptable in many cultures, but its normal in the German culture. So anyone who wants to immigrate must understand that they could be confronted by this. That doesn't mean they need to become nudists. I am not a nudist either but I don't take offense in someones nudity.

Even as a tourist, I always try to get a grasp at the local customs. If I visit a country, I try not to offend my hosts. I think the same should apply to immigrants even more. So whats wrong with testing these things then?

I think the reason for countries to be selective (in terms of wealth or education) is simply that they don't want their welfare systems to be abused. If a society has achieved some level of wealth, it usually can afford a better wellfare system. However it can't be that now everyone can immigrate and just leech of this system. I know it sounds extremly harsh, but its a balancing act. Governments are responsible to their people and are accountable for the budget. Its always hard to put a monetary value on people, but thats just how the economy works (maybe the reason I dont have an MBA). Again, one of the many reasons for the unrests in France was the extremly high unemployment among the immigrants.

When I rent an apartment, the landlord can (and usually will) check my credit history, so I will be able to support myself and the rent. Accounting wise a country is run like a business. Did you know that someone on a visa (in the US) has to pay social security, but is not eligible for unemployment benefits? Some may argue its unfair (and I don't totally disagree).

Here is another example: Daily hundreds if not thousands of poor and extremly desperate people from Africa (mostly Sahara countries) try to get to one of the islands in the Mediteranian sea that belong to spain. Many (most actually) die during the attempt and even the ones caught are usually sent back. Its a shame and Spain gets a lot of critizism for it. But what would happen if they just open the boarders? The entire European Union would be overrun in a matter of months (due to the lack of boarders) and the whole economy would collapse under the preassure of all those unemployed immigrants. I know its very harsh not to take them. So what should we do?

We should work on improving living conditions in poor countries, so that people don't even become so desperate that they see no other way than risking their lives. Instead of spending trillions on wars and new Bombs, we should take 10% of that money to stop hunger in the world. We should built schools and stop exploiting the resources of those countries. Just imagine how many people you can feed for the cost of one cruise missile or how many schools you can built for the cost of one air craft carrier. I think you'd be surprised.

Andre

Travel Photography

We have always had communities that cling to the old ways and customs in the US.  We just used to accept it as a step in the assimilation/adjustment process.  When Theodore Roosevelt ran for president in the early 1900's he had to have an interpreter in Cincinnati, Ohio, because it was a German-speaking community.  Even public schools were German.  When I moved there in the early 70's, they still had a German newspaper.

 The usual pattern is that the parents learn enough English to hold down jobs, and learn none if they don't have to.  The children are bi-lingual and are torn between a society that expects them to be American, and a family that thinks of them as being German or Mexican or whatever.  The third generation is American.  That's usually when family size decreases dramatically and the language is lost.

 In the meantime, parts of the immigrant societies get co-opted by American society in general.  Americans have Santa Claus, and pizza, and kung pao chicken.  We incorporate words, like bodega, kindergarten, and kibbitz.  And we are a richer country for it.