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Friday, May 25, 2007

If you don't like it here, go home: France to pay immigrants to return to their country of origin

I love Sarkozy. I've said this before, but I think he's going to be great for that country. And that can only have positive effects on Europe and the rest of the world.

The latest coming out of France:

France to Pay Immigrants to Return Home

New French President Nicolas Sarkozy made immigration a central issue of his campaign. Now, his new minister for immigration and national identity says its time to start paying immigrants to leave the country. Under the scheme, Paris will provide each family with a nest egg of €6,000 ($8,000) for when they go back to their country of origin. A similar scheme, which was introduced in 2005 and 2006, was taken up by around 3,000 families.

France is home to an estimated 1.5 million immigrants from mostly Muslim North Africa and 500,000 from sub-Saharan Africa, according to the 2004 census.

The new minister voiced concern that the majority of legal immigration into France was that of existing immigrants bringing in relatives, while only a small proportion were granted visas due to their professional skills. "To be integrated, you need language skills and a professional activity," he told RFI, and said he is considering introducing a language test to prospective immigrants.


All of this is voluntary, of course, but what a great idea! If they hate their host country so much, and are unable to integrate, then go home. And, frankly, I think the French are being very generous actually giving them money to leave.

Hat Tip: Weasel Zippers

14 comments:

lizze said...

Its a great idea ... hope it becomes a EU directive.

It is cheaper for the taxpayers and I am sure there are people that wants to go back but have no means to do.

Learning and speaking the language should be mandatory for immigrants. In the UK, they will now concentrate to teach the immigrants English rather then spending millions of £££ to translate to so many different languages to facilitate the immigrants .

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

It looks like the Cheese-eating surrender monkies frog may have come up with a good idea for a change!

Pat Jenkins said...

how much would it cost to entice the illegals in this ole country to vamooos? i imagine more than eight grand!!!

MUD said...

If they don't speak French, how can they possibly understand the offer? It isn't like 12 Million people from Mexico. Post one sign in Spanish and most of ours can understand. In France they are from all over Africa. I do love the thought but it would be a nightmare to enforce. MUD

Frasier said...

What a wonderful idea !!
Though, you have to know English to become a citizen here.I was asked to write"The cat sat on the mat" for my citizenship test !!!! I thought the officer was joking but she was dead serious !!!

WomanHonorThyself said...

wooohoo!..some backbone for a change!

Blazingcatfur said...

Never happen in Canada, our Liberals rely on ethnic voting blocs to win key ridings and besides "MultiCult" is officially state policy.

T said...

It comes down to simple economics. The cost of caring, jailing, etc. vs. the cost of ridding them. The latter is much less expensive.

Makes me want to visit Paris, sit on my butt, drink, exclaim "I'm not leaving!", and get my handout. -Same thing that happens here, but no one ever leaves...

-And don't give me that "they're here to work the jobs Americans won't do" crap. If they weren't here, Americans would do the work, but for more money.

Good for France. I hope it goes into effect just to see if it really works.

Incognito said...

LIZZE: Let's hope they do. The problem with some countries over there, like the Scaninavian ones, is they don't have enough workers so they need the immigrants. I actually have no problem with bi-lingualism, but you should definitely have to learn and speak the language of your host country. I think it's wonderful how most Europeans speak several languages.

DD2: Yup. Finally they are doing something right.

PAT J: Probably. Though $8,000 would be a lot for many of them. Just not sure they want to go home.

MUD: You have a point, though I think the offspring of the immigrants all speak French.

FRASY: That's hilarious. I thought it was far more complicated and in fact a test most American's wouldn't even pass.

WOMAN: I'm hoping Sarko is the one to help 'em get it back.

BCF: I doubt it would happen hear either. The illegal's they would probably just deport, and they have. They've deported those who are here legally.

T: I think they're talking about the legal immigrants in France, though, I could be wrong. As for here, I dunno.. I think you'd be hard put to find people to go out into the fields and pick grapes.
And they did have some success with a similar program a few years back. 3,000 left. Am keeping my fingers crossed for them.

Frasier said...

Well they make you learn about 50 questions out of which they ask you 5(colors of the flag,how many stars on it etc)the ones they dont ask are a bit tough though.But the English part is a joke !They also have an easier test for people over 50!

Incognito said...

Wow, that's interesting Frasy. I wouldn't know how many stars are on the flag.

Paula said...

I am loving this Guy
Can we book him for the UK when he has finished!

Incognito said...

I think a lot of people feel that way! Maybe he can clone himself.