December 31, 2007, is the deadline for foreign nationals in the Philippines to replace their alien certificates of registration with the new I-Card.

Failure to complete the replacement on a timely basis subjects foreign nationals to immigration violations and the deportation.

See Aliens told to get I-Cards by Dec. 31, Philippine Daily Inquirer, December 24, 2007, for more information

Immigration enforcement actions against employers are likely to continue up to the elections in November as each party tries to show it is tough on illegal immigration and the US employers of undocumented aliens.

Although over the last two years the government expanded its enforcement of penalties against those who employment foreign nationals unlawfully, Democratic political consultants point to the Republican administration's weak enforcement history as an opportunity in the upcoming election. The government is likely to combat this image problem with even more aggressive enforcement actions up to the election. "It's now felonies, jail time, fines and forfeitures," Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said at a recent news conference.

See Immigrant Crackdown Falls Short, Washington Post, December 25, 2007, for more information.

Starting next year, the United Kingdom will use a new points-based immigration system that helps highly skilled professionals like scientists, doctors and entrepreneurs from India and other non-European Union countries to come to the UK.

This simplifies the current 80 of so different routes of immigration by replacing it with 5 routes.

* Route 1: Highly skilled migrants (e.g., scientists, doctors and entrepreneurs). No employer sponsor required.

* Route 2: Skilled migrants performing jobs in shortage areas (e.g., nurses, teachers and engineers). Employer sponsor required.

* Route 3: Low-skilled migrants (e.g., construction workers, catering staff) Employer sponsor required.

* Route 4: Students. Starts in 2009. Requires payment of tuition. A system of sponsorship by employers and educational institutions will be introduced at the beginning of next year.

* Route 5: Tourists, professional athletes and musicians.

Applicants need at least 75 points to be considered for a work visa. The points will be based on qualification, age and previous earnings.

See New immigration system to be operational in UK from new year, PTI World News, December 18, 2007, for the rest of the story.

Increased immigration is given credit for Britain's economic growth and lower inflation - lessons the United States would do well to learn!

The BCC News reports an Ernst & Young finding that foreign-born workers appear to have filled about two-thirds of new UK jobs in the last five years, with an estimated 1.5 million immigrants to the UK since 1997. Economic growth at 3% per year over the next decade is predicted if immigration levels remain constant, whereas the level drops to 2.2% with zero immigration. The UK relies heavily on immigration and foreign workers to man its work force. The BBC reported that foreign-born workers account for 11% of the workforce.

See UK growth 'helped by immigration' , BBC News, December 18, 2007, for the rest of the story.

Out of work UK-trained doctors are urged to consider immigrating to Australia.

Australia is experiencing a shortage of doctors and Australian immigration law provides an opportunity for foreign doctors.

See 4,000 UK-trained doctors without jobs could take up Australian immigration, Australian Visa Bureau, October 22, 2007, for more information.

Jamaica evaluating immigration and employment benefits afforded to citizens of other Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) nations.

Concern over loss of employment opportunities for locals due to illegal aliens, Jamaica is moving to track down illegal aliens and set a ten day deadline for them to legalize. CARICOM has not established comprehensive rules for employment eligibility of citizens in member countries. Antigua recently implemented new restrictions.

See Immigration, labour issues still in focus , Nationnews.com, October 22, 2007, for more information.