In France, Sarkozy proposes new immigration standards

Immigration normally benefits nations, but it can harm them--it comes down to how the immigration is handled, and especially how well the immigrants integrate themselves. The recent riots in France by immigrants--who were let in nearly wholesale--and first generation French citizens were due largely to a failed system of integration combined poor economic prospects and the French penchant for taking to the barricades.

But immigration can also be selective. By setting certain minimum qualifications, nations can bring in skilled people willing to work and make a better life for themselves and their new country. France seems to have come late to this realization as reported by the Beeb:

[...] Last year, [Interior Minister] Nicolas Sarkozy wanted to expel foreigners who had been involved in the urban riots, and tried to organise joint charter flights with Britain to deport illegal immigrants.

The interior minister was expected to use his traditional New Year's greetings to the media to announce another tough crackdown.

Instead he told his audience that France should look more positively on immigration.

"In all the world's great democracies, immigration presents the possibility of bringing in new skills, new talents, new blood," he said.

Here in a nutshell is the problem with France's present immigration policy:

"But here at home, immigration still has a negative connotation. Why? Because it's not regulated, because it's not linked to our economic needs, and because it does not come with an ambitious policy for integration."

This definition of immigration as a good thing is certainly a new approach for France.

Under the policy, qualified workers and students with good prospects will get priority.

Unless newcomers can benefit the French economy or French life in some way, they are unlikely to be granted residence permits.

Backbench MP Jean Dionis du Sejour, from the centrist UDF party, says other countries choose their immigrants in a similar way.

Politicians are the same everywhere: problems are overlooked until they become a campaign issue.

"If we want to stop a very nasty surge of the extreme right, we have to deal seriously with this problem," he adds. [...]

The interior minister has called for more transparency in immigration policy.

Mr Sarkozy says French people have a right to know how many immigrants are entering the country, and why.

People have the right to bring their families over, he argues, but only if they can house and keep them, and integrate into French society.

Sarkozy can't resist some anti-Muslim politicking:

Immigrant women imprisoned by their husbands at home will not be allowed to stay, he says. The stance is likely to prove popular with voters. But whether it will deter would-be immigrants is another matter.

Immigration, however, remains a two way street. Countries seeking quality immigrants must offer real economic hope or they will see the most talented and ambitious head elsewhere. This truism has long been working in America's favor. We tend to get better educated and harder working people than do other nations because of our open economy and general freedoms.

It remains to be seen if France--and Europe--can attract highly qualified immigrants. In any case, they are at least discussing immigration policy and seem to be making to right choices, even if they may be politically motivated.