Immigration Rules In France Affect Indians
- By Bobby Castro
- Published 12/14/2011
- National, State, Local
- Unrated
The French Immigration Authority recently announced that it would be instituting new policies to ensure that immigrants to the country would have the necessary knowledge to be able to properly manage their lives in the country. This includes written proof of knowledge of the French language and the use of turbans and other religious headgear in schools and other public areas
In an official announcement, the new rules require that immigrants seeking citizenship prove knowledge of the French language "consistent with understanding the essential points needed to manage daily life." In the previous system, residency candidates were tested on their language skills through interviews with government officials. Now with the new rules, the proof of French language ability must be done through the production of a diploma or certificate of such education from a state recognized facility.
The new rules would be made effective in January after the Interior Ministry found that nearly one million foreigners currently in France are not able to speak or write French. This is a growing concern and to respond to this issue, the government would be promoting French-language skills and integration among
st its immigrant communities.
This is a positive step in light of a previous rule instituted by the French government on the use of turbans by Sikhs in public places and veils covering the heads and faces of Islamic women. This has touched off a firestorm of criticism and debate within and amongst the Indian community as well as the upper echelons of government.
The turban for Sikhs is a symbol of dignity and has religious meaning in the Sikh religion. A blanket ban was instituted by the French government in the use of turbans and other religious headgear in schools as well as in public places. In response, the French government said that the ban was not a racial ban as France adheres to the policy of secularism, as there are many other religious bans instituted on other religions such as Christianity, Judaism and others.
Since the institution of the ban, at least five Sikhs have been barred from entry into classrooms and other public areas. In response, many French Sikhs established their own schools where religious practices of turban use and the unshaven and unshorn hair is freely practiced. Recently, there have been incidents of public removal of turbans forcibly, especially in airports and other public areas. It is still an uphill climb for Sikhs to be recognized.
In an official announcement, the new rules require that immigrants seeking citizenship prove knowledge of the French language "consistent with understanding the essential points needed to manage daily life." In the previous system, residency candidates were tested on their language skills through interviews with government officials. Now with the new rules, the proof of French language ability must be done through the production of a diploma or certificate of such education from a state recognized facility.
The new rules would be made effective in January after the Interior Ministry found that nearly one million foreigners currently in France are not able to speak or write French. This is a growing concern and to respond to this issue, the government would be promoting French-language skills and integration among
This is a positive step in light of a previous rule instituted by the French government on the use of turbans by Sikhs in public places and veils covering the heads and faces of Islamic women. This has touched off a firestorm of criticism and debate within and amongst the Indian community as well as the upper echelons of government.
The turban for Sikhs is a symbol of dignity and has religious meaning in the Sikh religion. A blanket ban was instituted by the French government in the use of turbans and other religious headgear in schools as well as in public places. In response, the French government said that the ban was not a racial ban as France adheres to the policy of secularism, as there are many other religious bans instituted on other religions such as Christianity, Judaism and others.
Since the institution of the ban, at least five Sikhs have been barred from entry into classrooms and other public areas. In response, many French Sikhs established their own schools where religious practices of turban use and the unshaven and unshorn hair is freely practiced. Recently, there have been incidents of public removal of turbans forcibly, especially in airports and other public areas. It is still an uphill climb for Sikhs to be recognized.
Bobby Castro
Bobby Castro is the online editor at the NRI community, where he has published a number of articles about NRI Indians living in France and many other topics.
View all articles by Bobby Castro