I don't need to hear from any Americans, but I would like to hear from anyone else from other countries.

Basically, could I sneak into your country, and eventually get a job, buy a house, send my kids to your schools, and use your medical facilities?

Are you looking to move?

No, why would I? I already live in the best place on Earth.

I'm going to vote "No" for Canada, unless you really made a serious effort to do everything under the table. I worked with a guy who came from Mexico to do his PhD, and after five years of living in Canada, he almost got thrown out when he finished school, even though he already had a job (apparently the immigration department didn't think that his job was relevant to his degree).

Plus, I'm pretty sure Stephen Harper isn't a big fan of immigrants, so I think he's trying to make it harder.

within the EU with exception of the UK you can move around countries very easy without any hassle. It's harder if your country isn't one of the 27 EU countries.

Before 2001 Denmark had some of the most relaxed immigration policies. That changed in the 2001 election where the liberals (note: In Denmark "liberals" is a term quite different from the American. The liberals lie to the right of the conservatives) came to power with the conservatives and the extreme right party Dansk Folkeparti ("Danish Peoples Party"). Since then there has been almost a complete stop to immigration. Thousand of Iraqis have been escorted on a plane back to Iraq and furthermore Dansk Folkeparti refuses to give asylum to the Iraqi people who have helped the Danish milletary in Falluja.

So the answer to your question would be: NO!

In France it would be yes and no.

Access to health care, school, unofficial job, yes.
Buy a house, I do not know, I would say no, but I may be wrong (at least not from the legal market that requires a bank account, a lawyer for papers...).

Immigration politics has been tighter in the last years. And promises made by the new Super-Prez to make them even tighter.
Last year though, a large number of illegal immigrants were made legal. Based on kids born in France, going to school, the whole family speaking french, some kind of a job (even illegal), wishes to integrate within the french society (there was an interview).

The social mesh is pretty extensive here, directed for years towards helping and protecting the weakest persons, the youth, the elders, etc.
That may change.

I've read Canada's immigration policy - at least parts of it. Even legal immigration is highly restricted. For example, anyone with any kind infraction on their record, such as a DWI, isn't getting citizenship. Once you pass the background check, you need to have a skill in need, and/or bring lots of money.

Interesting. Care to offer anything more in the way of an answer to my question now?

you did not ask about illegal immigrants, and europe isn't only one country.

Is a DWI the same as a DUI (Driving Under the Influence)?

Having seen what my friend went through to immigrate, I would agree with you that the policy is very restricted. Apparently having a PhD in engineering isn't a useful skill. If you ask me, I think it's a little too restricted - it makes me think of how much more difficult it is to adopt a child than to have one naturally (but that's a different topic altogether).

Immigration is fairly easy as far as i know, especially if you speak English and have skills. Just dont come as an illegal, they get treated pretty harshly here (damn you government).

As for all that the services, itd be no harder then the US, except we have a great Medicare system where everyone gets reasonably cheap medication and surgeries (I think its similar to Canada, but im not 100% on that one)

Is it legal to sneak into your country and stay there as long as I want? Try reading the posts you respond to.

Don't you think it serves your country well? That's the purpose behind any immigration policy - to benefit the country. Most Canadians I hear from are very proud of their health care system, etc. If a flood of unskilled immigrants came in, working under the table, would you be able to maintain all those social benefits?

I do agree with your other point - I worked with a guy who's wife is a foreigner, and its pretty cut and dry she needs to be here legally, but the mountain of red tape he had to go through was horrific. Something should be done about that.

If the immigration policy were less restricted, then the flood of immigrants wouldn't need to be working under the table because they could officially immigrate, and start paying taxes just like any other citizen.

Besides, how do they classify "unskilled"? Not everyone can or should be a doctor - there are many jobs out there for which the only necessary skill is "willingness to work".

Does Canada have more jobs than people to fill them? If that is the case, I'd think you would have opened up your immigration policy already.

Yes. Monster.ca - Canada Among Top Three Countries Feeling Labour Shortage Pains

That article I linked to says that "Prime Minister Stephen Harper is on record as saying that recognizing international credentials of skilled newcomers to this country is a priority for his government", but I don't really believe most of what he says.

Interesting article. Odd that Mexico claims to have a labor shortage - or is it?

Anyway, whether the immigration policy is geared towards slowing immigration or opening it up, should the policy be set up to benefit the country?

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