We Need To Become More French

If our leaders really want to improve our immigration laws, they could start by following the example of the French.

Foreigners who want to join their families in France will soon have to pass a test on the French language and national values before leaving their home countries under the first move by President Sarkozy to curb immigration.

Rights groups and the Socialist opposition have denounced the draft law, which will go to Parliament next month, as populist and xenophobic.

It aims to tighten curbs on family reunification that were imposed by Mr Sarkozy when he was Interior Minister before his election to the presidency. These included an integration test for applicants for long-term residence permits.

The Bill, which is being vetted this week by the Council of State, is the first from the new Ministry of Immigration, Integration and National Identity, headed by Brice Hortefeux. The link between national identity and immigration caused a storm and unsettled some of Mr Sarkozy’s party colleagues when it was proposed this year.

Would-be immigrants will now be “tested in their country of residence on the degree of their knowledge of the language and values of the Republic,” the draft says. A two-month training course will be provided in some countries.