I have nothing against immigration, except we don't have the infrastructure to support such a large increase in population and we don't deport those immigrants who commit violent or indecent crimes after they arrive.

I am certainly no expert on the subject, but my daughter in law comes from the Czech Republic. They met in Costa Rica and traveled a bit more before deciding to live and bring up their family in Australia (best place of course) its a huge waiting game, plus costs many thousands of dollars just to apply (I think they said it cost them $8,000) i realise there would be literally thousands of people trying to stay here, as let's face it, its a wonderful place to live!! But the process to become an aussie isn't easy at all :( it also took months at a time to complete the steps necessary for application) when someone lives here and works here and pays taxes like everyone else, surely it should be a little easier? Anyway that's just my opinion..... HAPPY EASTER ❤️❤️❤️

Love this game win win win

Love this game win win

Supply and demand do we need these people to fill necessary vacancies in the work force .Must have enough money to support themselves for 5 years . Reading ,writing and speaking the language is a must .Pass a medical test no criminal record .And if convicted here in Australia deportation is a price to pay never to be returned . And acceptance of our school education and all religion is contain in ones home if not in line with the Australian cultural .You chose our country and we expect respect .

Yes I believe that you should have to study English language before becoming a citizen you should also study British colonisation and history and have to do a big test about cultures and way of life you should also be quizzed on your religion also to reduce radicalisation and yes psychological tests are a great idea criminal checks and language tests

People are entitled to their views. Stop trying to play the race card as it's so outdated nowadays. No. Many were forced immigrants. Not volunteers.

It’s sad to read so much hatred in this discussion. Unless you are indigenous, you are or your ancestors were immigrants. I fully enjoy the variety of cultures and cuisines immigrants bring. There are bad apples from every tree, no one is godly and perfect. Bless you all ~ Ps. Don’t be fooled by the biased media and American propaganda.

You have to be a resident for a minimum of 4 years before you can apply for Australian Citizenship and hold a residency visa for at least 1 year before you can apply. It's not just the matter of taking 1 test.Edited 04-Mar-25 20:54pm

With the aging population and fast changing economy landscape, most countries need to be more adaptive and flexible in maintaining/ gaining productivity. The current economic situation is not going to pay for everyone’s pensions when we retire unless we can have more people to keep the economy growing and paying tax to fund pensions (and age related expenses, eg healthcare). Say whatever you want to stop immigrants, you’ll have even less people keeping the community clean, less competitive to other countries and your retirement is looking sad.

You are correct. It SHOULD be difficult to emigrate to a new country. I also think military service (or community service) should be mandatory. Want to stay here? Fine, earn it. Learn the language of the country you're going to, get a job, pay your taxes and stop demanding that country change for you. Where ever you go, you need to assimilate. Thank God Trump got back into the US and is deporting thousands of illegal aliens. We have immigration laws: FOLLOW THEM. and don't start on the Indians b/c they didn't have immigration laws. We do now.Edited 02-Mar-25 23:59pm

WAY TO FAR... I CAN'T C WHY ANAY ONE WOULD WANT TO COME HERE NOW. NO FREEDOMS TO B FOUND UNLESS U R SUPER RICH

I have a friend that immigrated from the country of South Africa and it was a 15 year wait. She still had restrictions on her because she is not a naturalized citizen.

Love this game win win win

Sadly they do not leave their sadness or whatever it is they have left/are leaving/have been forced to leave or are looking for protection from. They have a mind set and still fight amingst themselves let alone us. The example of our laws not being updated and releasing criminals that were known criminals detainees released into normal everyday society with crimes.They include a man who was convicted of sexual assault against a 12-year-old girl, a man convicted of rape who is also on a United States sex offenders registry, a man convicted of assault for punching his eight-month-old daughter, and a number of individuals convicted of drug smuggling.Why and why aren't our laws updated to disallow this.Lawyers fought tooth and nail within th short notification time line until release. They will not learn or adapt so return them to whence they came. Support them in their own countries if we can and then their history/understanding etc does not get landed on us.

I have said that all along, people that migrant do not apprecaite our values and don't won't to learn to live the way we live and don't won't to learn either. They bring in there rules of living standards that don't apply in our country. Come in new to a new country and live with our standards of living the way the country has been set out or don't come in at all. Yes a longer process should apply to all. Not a lucky country anymore the last 20 years:-(

I agree with most of the comments

No, I fully agreed with you. It seems currently we have a dividing society as a result.

Most definitely things should be harder and yes they need to prove themselves including being made to abide by Australia rules as to many countries if you don't abide your out. The process should take longer to allow these people in

Any testing only works on genuine people. We have seen several cases of people who dont abide by our laws come in as refugees and they are very hard to get rid of. I am not saying all refugees, so calm down keyboard warriors. But look at the facts our system is broken and without harsh penalties we are being targeted by people routing the system

This will help weed out the trash from entering our country

I've lived in the USA all of my life. I understand what's written on the Statue of Liberty. I know people have lost their lives trying to come here, and now the ones who made it are being sent away. All I have to say is, soon all of this will come to an end, and peace will cover the whole earth under God's rulership over His Kingdom! Revelation chapter 20, Isaiah 65: 17-25. ;-D

Yes, I think there should be a balance somehow, if it is easy to enter the country but you break the law or the rules before the time set you loose the right to stay. I am really looking forward to leaving the states and I would appreciate a country who would give me and my family the benefit of the doubt without a lot of red tape.

no comment

Wtf… disgusting comment section!!! Not cool Rewardia

I agree that the tests for people to migrate to different countries. In my area, I have found they have no idea of the rules in our community. We have a foreigner on the other side of the creek at the back of my property and he is building obstacles at the back of his property which is forcing the water from the creek to come more on our side when we have heavy rain.

That’s not correct. It’s not just a ‘basic simple multiple question test’. It’s a process, and a different process depending on circumstances. Even marrying an Australian citizen doesn’t guarantee an easy or quick way in anymore.

Wow this is a big topic with no easy answers

No I agree they should appreciate it but there is a lot that don’t and we don’t need them here dictating to us

Regardless of what people say when applying for citizenship we should be more focused on where they come from and what they believe. In the case of a civil war we allow both sides in, how stupid is that? If they couldn't get on in their own country what makes anyone think they will get on with each other here in Australia. We also allow people to come here with different beliefs, morals, customs and allow their worship to dictate what they wear. We allow people who don't like us and even give us a name but once here they are told they can continue to celebrate their culture because we are multicultural. There are people here who don't like us, our culture or customs, have no respect for our laws, police or politicians. In fact they would much prefer for US not to be here. There is only room for ONE culture in any country otherwise you end up with a civil war, and if you look around the world every country with more than one culture did indeed have a civil war. Try living in a suburb where the majority isn't ethnically Australian and you'll soon see how difficult life can be. Choosing who gets in is far more practical.

i don’t get any of this

After reading all the comments on this subject I am blown away by how much division among this community has occurred..Come on people we are all humans so how about showing some compassion,love and respect for one another.. It's ok to have a difference of opinion but it's not ok to ridicule or show aggression and put others down.. Seems to happen a lot here, sadly!

I feel sorry for other people who live in other countries where there is a lot of poverty, no clean water, etc. I think the U.S. should spend more money helping people on earth than in outer space! But I don't think that immigrants should feel entitled to come here and take jobs away from the American people either - or in Canada, Australia, etc.

I agree with you!

Yes I agree with this statement to a certain degree. Edited 02-Mar-25 16:41pm

Absolutely agree with your comments/ We should make it hard for anyone to enter our beautiful country & they really should offer something of value when they settle here, not just put their hand out for cash.

Only those who really are willing to do the work should be allowed

This is a very touchy subject so I am going to bow out gracefully on this one.

Only needed tradespeople should be allowed in to Australia as we have a huge house shortage and this may help

Too many immigrants who bring some of the values and ideals they have left behind which made them leave in the first instance.

It should definitely be harder to get citizenship in Canada, this is not a free ride!

discussions about immigration always bang the same old drum: their leaching the economy their a burden on society their not like us their going to cause problems on and on it goes well here's the news folks, every single one of you comes from immigrants, if you're not Aboriginal you came from somewhere else or your parents did or your grandparents did, do you hate your grandparents?, would you have liked them to have been ostracized, humiliated, vilified? no you wouldn't and 70% of you claim to be Christians, so what happened to "do unto others as you would have done unto you"? perhaps we should think about the media outlets that start these scare campaigns regarding people we don't know, have never met, and were probably just like our own ancestors searching for a new life, and who became great contributors to Australia 🤔

No its not going too far it should be harder and get people over here that want to work not just live off the system

Not in the slightest in my opinion.

Don’t get me started on our immigration to this country …. It’s a total disgrace

Sorry no comment for me

Fact check, Canada does not have a strict entry process for citizenship. Canada is having the same issues as other countries with the citizenship process.

Sounds like a great plan but what about all those who are citizens by birth that live by other values and a drain on society.

There are valid reasons for both sides to the question. With what is happening in the world today, Governments, Political, Immigration, Emigration, Terrorism..With being allowed Citizenship I believe it applicant has prover stability in employment, contributing to society, has family here and has proven to accept and live by requirements, these applications should take priority. As for immigration, deportation and requests here, I do not believe these people should be given consideration. People do seem to be entering Australia "willi Nilly" and with threats to Australia and communities I believe a 5 yrs extension here needs to be extended.

I'm an immigrant and I am grateful and blessed to live in this country for over 45 years. I'm more of an Aussie than my own nationality but I respect my culture and share my culture with other nationalities but would never allow my heritage take over a country that has given me and my family a better life. What I dislike the most are other immigrants who abuse the system in this beautiful country. We come here to have a better life so please do the right thing by this country and the community is what I'd like to see more. It is a multicultural nation so let us be the greatest example to the world and show them that we can live an harmonious life even though we have different religions and beliefs; living, sharing different cultures with one another. So please respect this country.

Only recently in Germany, the other month, a immigrant ran down people on the street in his car. This has happened numerous times over the years and in numerous countries. Some immigrants will never fit it.

China is disgusting! Why does China keep letting their people immigrate under the pretense of learning in our universitys and colleges? It's well known many just come here to take Aus jobs. They buy up our houses and farms if they are wealthy also. We must stop this! Australia isn't for sale and none- white people who come here to our shore's. We have let far too many in. Close the door!Edited 02-Mar-25 13:22pm

The racism and bigotry are only in your small mind.

Diversity in thought and belief adds a richness to the culture that cannot be denied. You don't have to be a visitor to be a jerk. There are enough of those around anyway. These ideas you expound are at the very heart of Colonialism, Hatred, Bigotry, Racism, and all of the other 'isms' that are out there. I really thought that we, as a society, were past most of that nonsense but I guess I am wrong. God help us all!

It is very complicated; the big Universities' hands are in the politicians' pockets. 90% of the foreign students come here to get citizenship, and despite the hefty fees, they still come and have to work in delivery to meet the Unis fees. This is the back door of immigration. Furthermore, if you are not happy in your country of origin, why do you bring it with you by trying to name areas with names like Little China or Little India as well as importing your lifestyle? I am an immigrant, and having lived here for almost 40 years, I have become part of the Aussie culture and refuse to refer to myself by anything other than Aussie.

So much misinformation in these comments. Check the facts on the customs rules, the immigration laws, the process of refugees, the applications of centrelink payments and the truth behind some of these ridiculous stories based on here say and paranoia before commenting. Narrow minded, racist and entitled bigotry isn’t something to be proud of. Edited 02-Mar-25 12:54pm

I agree, look at the horrible demonstrations we have had in Victoria that always end in riots. I am assuming that most people that choose to come to Australia to live are looking for a better life. DON’T BRING YOUR WARING SHIT HERE!

Oh can I just say poor Zelenskyy, some of the news headlines were classics. Fight House and I came up with White House of Horrors. It was like watching two school boy bullies picking on the little guy. Trump and Vance were absolutely horrid. Hang your heads in shame. That wasn't a peace talk and I wish Zelenskyy had gotten up and walked out sooner. Zelenskyy was once a funny, happy, full of life man and now he can't even smile and no wonder why. It's just so sad. I wish some one and I am hoping Starmer and some other European countries stands up and says enough is enough. Ukrainian people have been fighting this war with Russia for 11 years. It needs to be stopped but not by America that is quite clear. Australia needs to do more too we can't sit on our laurels either. We need to spend way more on defence than what we have been and it is catch up time because we haven't done any thing for decades...Scary.

yer agreed. Much stronger controls..we have nurses that can hardly speak and write enlish that is legible...as an example... Watching customs doc's you get an idea of the amt of 'foreigners' that try & bring crap/illegal foods contraband etc into the country under the guise of 'me no understand, speak english'. but above all the values of Australian society, are just not the same for migrants coming into our country. (until they prove it).... look at the recent Islam nurses thing in Victoria - SHOCKING :(

Definitely should uphold the same values, we had to pass medicals and my father had to have a skill which was required here too. He was a bricklayer, and was sponsored by a building firm.

I recently read a paper by an australian think tank called the centre for independent studies. It's title was why multiculturalism works in australia but has failed in europe. The theme was that european countries have been too welcoming to migrants who just do not fit in. Witness the social problems in every european country as a result. australia on the other hand has been far more selective in who gets in. I don't know how this compares to canada, but their conclusion was that we do ok. however recently the middle east crisis has brought that unrest to australia. although not for the first time but certainly on a scale we have not seen before. I do remember when salman rushdi's book was published there were some unsettling demonstrations in sydney. but they didn't last very long. But i do agree that people are not always honest about their true beliefs just to get an entry visa and maybe even citizenship. How you get round that is something i do not know the answer to, especially when I can think of one religion that says explicitly says it's perfectly acceptable to lie to non-believers to further your cause and even has a word for it.

No country has the right to send people here from our country and other countries it's to much democrats should go to jail

With health screening

No illegal immigrants walking into our country with shots and kids criminals and when government democrats think 1 .6 billion dollars for Healthcare and free food cards free housing because people in government don't follow the immigration laws it's causing crime because it's not fair to Americans can't afford to live because of debt and the new people think we are their care givers it's not fair to us they steal are of our money these governors should be put in jail and pay the America back the money they stole M

No, I think your heading to a real smart idea. We have been to relaxed and walked on by other countries. Changing our history for 1. Ya some things where not done right then. Well are we supposed to learn from the past and make better decisions? You can't change the past, so stop trying. Our future - our kids future is at stake here. We need to have pledge of allegiance in class again. So let's start with ourself's - get closer with the creator, oneself, and kinder to others, stop cheating on your wife's and raise your family with values! I could go on for hrs. But I think you get my point. Thank you for reading & understand! God Bless Everyone!

It's simple they bring in money pushing up the prices of every thing including housing. Now our children are struggling even to find a place to live in whether it is to rent or buy if they can afford too. I think Australia is way too lenient and the governments have allowed people who can pay their way in. Once that has happened lo and behold in comes the rest of the family. They don't have to prove how they came about their money so it could be from drugs, prostration, child slave labor or a whole heap of illegal practises and we just don't know. The governments certainly don't that is for sure. They then take over whole suburbs, they speak their language, they build their places of worship and you guessed it they push Aussie's out from where they grew up, where the houses are no longer affordable for the average Australians, Our children our children's children.

I think you should speak English well and have good trade or profession before you can stay permenantly.

I agree completely with Empress! We are a peaceful country and have welcomed people with open arms but those who chose not to abide by our laws and create problems should be asked to leave

Love to win big

The only rule that I think should be a non-negotiable for citizenship should be the ability to speak and write English. We live in a country (AUST) where people come from all over the world with many languages spoken. In order for all of us to properly communicate with one another, one common language NEEDS to be understood. All other requirements for entry into this country I will leave for others to debate, but language is the most necessary tool to participate & integrate successfully into any society.

xenophobic much?

Australia has an open immigration policy, just look at what its done to this once great country. Edited 02-Mar-25 11:33am

2pts

I really don't know what to say about this subject, my opinion and as much as I like to be nice to everyone and a lot of people do deserve a second chance, I do think people that reoffend should be given a wide berth and told no to going into another country.

You are extremely misinformed. There is much more to it than a simple multiple question test.

tI agree with you Larry I am on the pension I do not get hand outs that they get they should work to be able to sta in our country

I would like to add this to my earlier post. If any Immigrant is, beyond any doubt whatsoever, convicted of an imprisonable Crime then they should be immediately deported and not allowed to be a burden on Taxpayers who have to pay all the costs involved during their imprisonment which, it has been reported, can cost many 10s of 1000s evry year.

yes

Totally agree but for those people who are not worthy needs lie detectors

i came to NZ in 1973 from England and i was very vauable to NZ as a Plumber I didnt need a passport back then

Totally agree Raelz.Too many do gooders say let them in, Australia is full of illegals who came via the back door and get all the assistance all can give them. Pension,social welfare,church help etc etc. never worked a day in their life here,paid no tax and laugh all the way to the bank. Multiple wives,kids,drive flash cars and live in social housing. Time the government stopped this rort and showed them the departure gates at international airports. They don’t mix with the locals,bring their hatred and habits with them and scores to settle from 2000 years back

It should definitely be more difficult.

When Arden was prime minister of NZ she kicked up a mighty all fuss, because the prime Minister, scotmo, at the time, deported them. She didn't like her own rotten NZ crims sent back. LolEdited 02-Mar-25 10:38am

Agreed...

yes I agree wholeheartedly. We are allowing criminals into our country. I am afraid of the crimes that are being committed and even aghast at no sentences being dished out. The media are no longer reporting the race/nationality of those who commit these crimes but we know. Look at the school in Sydney full of people who are chanting some Muslim call to war!!! We have always been tolerant of all races, religions but this is getting dangerous. More scrutiny when allowing Aussie citizenship will help, refusing these people to live here. But for those getting through, it should be made clear that if they abide by our laws and peaceful existence then it is immediate deportation and if they born here JAIL.

Yes, the tests should be harder BUT they must be Intelligently constructed. All Immigrants, irrespective of Age, Gender, Race, Ethnicity should be required BY Law to learn English and until they are proficient in it they should not be admitted permanently. If they fail to do so then they should be sent back to their original homelan - No exceptions. Anyone, no matter where they came from, if they commit any crime which could result in a Prison Sentence - even if suspended - should be immediately deported back to their country of origin. Yes, I know many will say that would be unfair because they might be being sent back to a war-torn country a dictatorship or some other form of autocracy which would result in hardship. So what? When people come to Australia they are required to abide by Australia's Laws. I understand that those Honoured with Australian Citizenship are required to swear an Oath or make an Afirmation that they will abide by those laws. Commit a serious, imprisonable crime, you are breaking those laws and must leave.

Australia is supposed to be changing laws this year and kicking a lot of imigrants out I heard. Although I also hear they're draging a lot of imigrants in too. Maybe they are just replacing them with better workers, so they have enough builders to finish making all the new houses they promise. But I don't think it will be like this for Neo it wont ever need a Visa.

total agreement thank you

I agree completely.

You do not want people coming that are alien to your way of life.Accept the conditions of entry or do not come.

Yes America was build on immigrants, as we as that society changed our values?

I heard about a case where a couple wanted to bring an elderly relative to SA from England to care for her. Because she had a disability the Aust Govt. refused. They signed more than one statuary document agreeing that they would pay all her expenses including medical and would not claim from Centrelink or Medicare etc at all. The couple had their own business with a few occasional casual workers. They were refused so they closed the business and moved to England, taking their savings with them

I agree. Canada has taken in too many new people

I think people who just want to live their lives peacefully should be allowed to live anywhere, away from war, torture and cruelty. We should be able to ask certain questions though to rule out if they have pedophile, psychopathic or terrorism tendencies..

I like what you have said and I agree with you

I think that we have bigger fish to fry than staying focused on whether or not "Juan" can stay the night. Just sayin.Edited 02-Mar-25 09:42am

The 'citizenship tests' for immigrants are usually ridiculous things that most people born in the country wouldn't even pass. It's simply a case of the applicant memorising a load of answers to pointless questions. A far more useful test would include proving they can read, write, speak, and understand the local language well enough.Edited 02-Mar-25 09:38am

Believe they should learn to speak English ASAP as well!

I was born in Australia. I have not had to go through this process. Sorry can't comment further

Lie detector tests might be a step too far, but I mostly agree with your sentiment Raelz.