Posted on 08/01/2009 4:02:30 PM PDT by Steelfish
Crackdown on 80,000 immigrant wives with free pass to Britain
By SIMON WALTERS, POLITICAL EDITOR 01st August 2009
A highly controversial crackdown on immigrants accused of abusing welfare handouts is to be unveiled by Home Secretary Alan Johnson this week.
He plans to ban wives brought here, mainly from India and Pakistan, from receiving child benefit and a wide range of other state aid unless they learn English, support British values and do voluntary work in the community.
The move could affect up to 80,000 immigrants who are allowed to settle permanently in Britain each year after marrying a UK citizen.
Language gap: Humaiyun Islam with his wife Safiyah Begum, who is struggling to learn English [Pic in URL]
Many come from remote villages in the subcontinent, have little formal education and cannot speak a word of English. Under existing laws, they are automatically given indefinite leave to remain after just two years.
Crucially, that qualifies them to receive state benefits, even if they never become British citizens with UK passports or learn English.
However, Mr Johnson wants to scrap indefinite leave to remain. He intends to force immigrants who use marriage to get into the UK to take a citizenship test. They will not be allowed to take it for at least five years and if they fail, they will be banned from receiving benefits.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
That Labor is even considering such a program shows how worried they must be about their (Labor’s) future.
It would of course be wildly popular with most of the British public.
Hope it’s not too little, too late.
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