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By Agence France-Presse
LONDON: Foreigners will have to wait for at
least six years rather than five as now to become British nationals
or else leave the country, the government said Wednesday, unveiling
plans to tighten rules on citizenship.
The proposals — the latest attempt to manage
immigration — envisage introducing a new “probationary”
citizenship period, increasing by at least 12 months the length of
time before British national status is given.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown also underlined the
importance of speaking English, reiterating that Britain will
introduce English tests for foreigners who plan to marry British
citizens and settle in Britain.
The current minimum time to apply for British
citizenship is five years from the date of the arrival in the
country.
But Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said the new
probationary period would only last a year if the foreigner shows he
or she takes part in community activities, like volunteering,
charity fund-raising or running a sports team.
Those who do not will have a longer wait—the
current five years plus a minimum of three years’ probation.
Anyone committing minor offences may have to
wait longer for citizenship, while serious offenders will be
deported or barred from becoming British nationals.
EU nationals will be exempt, including those
from newly-joined eastern European countries.
If the proposals are passed by parliament, full
access to state benefits will be withheld until the probationary
period is completed.
Migrants would also have to contribute to a new
fund to help ease the burden caused by increased immmigration, which
right-of-centre politicians and media blame for putting pressure on
the country’s public services and infrastructure.
In particular, Smith said he was keen for
long-term foreign residents in Britain to apply for citizenship,
instead of “languishing in limbo”.
”Once your period of temporary residence comes
to an end you will need to apply for the next stage or leave,” she
said.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown said later that
citizenship was a matter of choice but also depended on “actively
entering into a contract through which, by virtue of
responsibilities accepted, the right of citizenship is earned.”
Britain is in the process of overhauling its
immigration policies, introducing an Australian-style points system
for highly-skilled and key workers, including proof of an ability to
speak English.
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