Australia, what are your feelings on immigration?

Most Australians welcome legal immigrants because they realise that we badly need skilled workers and they are the vast majority of the immigrants we accept each year. Some ignorant idiots blame immigrants for 'taking' their jobs but everyone else knows that they're just looking for excuses for their own inadequacies - our immigrants create jobs, they don't take them and most people know and appreciate that.

We have an ongoing debate of our own here regarding illegal 'asylum seekers' who arrive in boats by using the services of people smugglers. Some people, including our opposition parties (our Republican equivalent) make a huge amount of noise and generate massive ill feeling about the 'hordes' of illegal boat arrivals but the facts are that those arrivals represent less than 1% of our annual intake of immigrants; many are refused visas and repatriated and those who are granted visas do not add to the total number of humanitarian visas we issue each year. Upon arrival, they are always detained offshore for processing and are only allowed to move into the Australian community to stay if they are accepted by the UN as genuine refugees. Many people (myself included), believe that if someone arrives illegally, they should always be returned but our humanitarian obligations under various UN treaties mean that some will be accepted if they are able to satisfy immigration that it would be unsafe for them to be returned to their point of origin. Our detention centre on Christmas Island has reached capacity and Julia Gillard is currently exploring other options for offshore processing under UN auspices and is trying to get arrangements in place where Australia would not be the only final destination for asylum seekers accepted as genuine refugees. That alone should stop most even trying to come here as Australia (like the USA) is seen as a land of milk and honey and boundless opportunity and they bypass many safe havens on their way to our shores - Australia rather than safety is their real objective.

Unlike the USA, our country is very tough on illegal immigrants - if the authorities become aware of an illegal, they are detained immediately and then deported EVERY TIME (unless they claim asylum - see above). Employers who are caught employing illegals get heavy fines EVERY TIME. Employers who pay anyone below the legal minimum are punished EVERY TIME and must always repay the difference to the employees concerned.

I'm very aware of the immigration debate in the USA and the resentment caused by illegals taking jobs from legal residents and citizens by being prepared to work for below minimum wages. I firmly believe that most of the US immigration problems are caused by the government's inexplicable reluctance to punish employers who employ illegals. If there was no work, they would have to leave and I can't understand how e-Verify hasn't been further strengthened and made mandatory with heavy penalties if ignored. It seems far too easy for illegals to live in the community using forged and stolen documents and the government doesn't seem to have the will to do anything about it. Stopping anchor babies would also be a step in the right direction - very few countries have jus soli citizenship rights and the USA could well do without them too. BTW, when I say 'the government', I mean the government of either political persuasion - I haven't seen any difference between the approach of this administration to that of previous administrations.

i will't remark on Australia, yet i understand that immigration in Canada is turning out to be and the government has nonetheless no longer set up all the essential centers to assist human beings immigrating right here. i could propose shifting to a greater city in case you do come to Canada (like Toronto or Vancouver) the place extra help could be available that should assist you adjust to Canadian custom. And sure, I even have spoken to three people who've immigrated to Canada who're suffering to come across artwork - even with the undeniable fact that, I additionally understand some people who're particularly effectual when you consider that shifting right here.

if you're threatened that an immigrant will take your job...maybe it's time to look for a better job?

who the hell immigrates to an island where every freaking animal will kill you in a damn bite WHO?