Music Talk Board

The UK is, but not all EU countries are (Sweden, my second choice in Europoor land, hasn't really done anything to tighten immigration. They are up to 15% of the population being foreign born, and the anti-immigrant sentiment there isn't near as bad as it is in the UK or US, although it might be worse now since those weirdos in Rinkeby started rioting again. :p ).

@Debbie: I've been extensively researching UK's immigration system for the past year and that's true to an extent. They are still letting in tons of students, but there is now a 27,900 (number might be slightly off) cap on skilled work visas, and unskilled work visas still exist, but they are temporary only and difficult to obtain. Half of the 27,900 isn't even being filled, so what they've done is scared off potential immigrants (immigration last year was 89,000 less than the previous year. The Conservative Party's goal is 100,000). I'm not so worried if I want to stay (my only goal right now is to go to university there for legitimate education purposes. For real, generally speaking, British universities > American universities), in 2011, 17% of students who graduated stayed legally in the UK, and for 2012 it's estimated 20% stayed (1% even negotiated permanent settlement, wat).

It is extremely difficult for countries like South Africa to get a work visa, but there are tons of loopholes in the current system that I don't want to talk about. For an American or continental European it is not as difficult. Those damn EU citizens have automatic permanent settlement if they want. :x

I kind of agree with tightening up immigration to prevent Britain from having 70,000,000 people in two decades but they way they are doing it is a bit dumb, and unfair for South Africans, Pakistanis, Indians, etc. (who not coincidentally are the most hated immigrant communities in the UK lol).

It's still more lenient than America's system though, at least regarding permanent settlement. America likes to give out tons of temporary visas with much more difficulties for actual settlement. International students in America aren't legally allowed to stay if they want at all (they have to sign a contract and everything).

Regarding America's immigration system: I honestly don't have a problem with removing the green card lottery, we should keep refugees, I support giving a path to citizenship for those who have been here so long (legally and illegally; especially as someone who lives in Arizona), we should give students a potential path to citizenship, but not 'staple a green card to their diploma' like some would like (the UK's system is getting stupider but I think they have it right with students; don't promise them a direct route, but offer twats like genghis and I a path if we do want to stay). I really don't want to see a brain drain effect where everyone stays just because, but those who legitimately want to should have a path.

Really though, a lot of that is idealism since I don't see any need to sharply reduce immigration to the US. Our system really just needs to be more fair.

I have yet to form a solidified opinion on the work visa issue (in both the US and UK systems) but the cap is pretty dumb. Most British people don't even like the cap, according to various polls, including people who want to reduce immigration by either 'a lot', or 'a little'.