Thread: French immigration bill backed

http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europ ... tion.reut/

French immigration bill backed

PARIS, France (Reuters) -- France's lower house of parliament easily passed a divisive immigration law put forward by Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy on Wednesday which has been heavily criticized by the opposition, the church and immigrant groups.

The law aims to attract skilled workers while keeping less skilled ones out. Critics say it will stigmatize foreigners, discriminate against the poor and undermine France's traditional role as a haven for the persecuted.

The deputies in the National Assembly, where the ruling UMP party has an easy majority, adopted the law by 367 votes to 164. The Senate will start debating it on June 6.

Sarkozy has argued that last November's riots by youths in poor suburbs where many immigrants live showed the immigration and integration system was failing and needed a revamp.

"It's selective immigration," he said on Wednesday, before leaving for a trip to Mali and Benin where he wants to have a discussion with officials about the new law.

The law would create a three-year "skills and talents" residence permit to attract skilled workers but also allow in workers in sectors and zones facing unskilled labour shortages.

It would also make it harder for resident immigrants to bring their families here, force newcomers to take French and civics lessons and end their automatic right to a long-term residence permit after 10 years in France.

Several thousand people protested last Saturday around France to demand the text be withdrawn.

"The National Assembly has validated a policy that takes us back 30 years," rights group Movement against racism (Mrap) said in a statement.

"This day will be one of shame and anger for all those who defend and promote the rights and fundamental freedoms of immigrants," it said.

Socialist deputy Serge Blisko said the text was unacceptable and would complicate the lives of thousands of families.

"It's a text that denies fundamental rights and reinforces xenophobia," he said.

In addition to criticism from the center and left, Sarkozy's bill has also drawn fire from the far right. Far-right leader Philippe de Villiers has said he would rather have "zero immigration" than selective immigration.

The bill is widely seen as part of Sarkozy's campaign for the presidential election next year and an effort to court far-right voters.

Copyright 2006 Reuters. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Oh well, we all know what will happen with that don't we? The people will get out in the street and riot and raise hell and the government will bow down to them right?

"The National Assembly has validated a policy that takes us back 30 years," rights group Movement against racism (Mrap) said in a statement.

"It's a text that denies fundamental rights and reinforces xenophobia,"

AH. And there you have it folks. These people must all read from the same instruction manual.