Thursday, October 4, 2007

Why the fuss about DNA tests for migrants?

You can rely on the BBC to describe a law that asks prospective immigrants to France to prove that they are indeed related to the people they claim to be related to as 'controversial'.

The tests are designed to speed up the application process; they aren't even mandatory, and the French government will meet the cost. But none of this has prevented howls of protest, and cries of 'racism' from immigrants' groups. The BBC reports:

The legislation asks immigrant family members older than 16 to take a test in their country of origin, demonstrating a good knowledge of French language and values.

Applicants also have to prove that their family in France could support them and earn at least the minimum wage.

All perfectly reasonable, and the sort of measures the UK should have adopted years ago. The fact that the likes of the BBC and immigrant welfare groups seem to think that such common-sense policies are controversial just shows how far out of step they are with ordinary people.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Good post, I live in France and the need for reform is evident in the riots of not long ago. Those areas where the riots were worst, voted overwhelmingly for Sarcozy and his reforms. These are among the poorest and most disadvantaged areas. Makes you think does it not?

Anonymous said...

DNA Tests have existed in the UK since more than a decade.
http://www.orchideurope.com/press_release/norway_160703.html

I sincirely think you are out of step with policies in your own country.