Marriages may be made in heaven but, in future, they could as easily be unmade by Britain's immigration authorities on grounds of linguistic incompatibility under plans announced by Home Secretary Theresa May on Wednesday.
Starting this autumn, spouses and partners of British citizens wishing to join them would be required to demonstrate a basic command of English language before they are allowed to enter Britain.
The new rules, applicable only to citizens from outside the European Union, would affect mostly people from South Asia, especially the Indian subcontinent which accounts for much of the migration linked to marital ties.
Immigrant groups called the move “discriminatory'' saying it would “tear migrant families apart''.
“The issue here is that the right to marry and found a family is a basic human right and is it proper, is it right, that that right to marry should be made conditional on passing a test in English? Our view is that it shouldn't be,” said a spokesman for Migrants' Rights Network.
Defending the plans, Ms. May said these were aimed at promoting “integration'' and helping immigrants settle in more easily into their new life.
“I believe being able to speak English should be a pre-requisite for anyone who wants to settle here. The new English requirement for spouses will help promote integration, remove cultural barriers and protect public services….This is only the first step. We are currently reviewing English language requirements across the visa system with a view to tightening the rules further in the future,'' she said.
The erstwhile Labour government had planned to introduce the changes next year but the new Conservative-Lib Dem ruling coalition has brought them forward amid plans to put an annual cap on immigration from non-EU countries.
Keywords: English language, immigrants
There is a basic English mistake in the second paragraph of the article. I refer to "a basic command of English language". The correct wording is "a basic command of THE English language".
This is not about racism, it is about integration and making 100% of immigrants economically active contributors to society, instead of 50% draining our Social Security budget (I'd be interested to know if India even has a cradle to grave welfare system). For example, I recently went into a shop to purchase a magazine. The shopkeeper was not there but a female relative was stood at the till. She couldn't understand me. The shopkeeper lost trade and I didn't get what I wanted. It was a lose-lose situation. The UK wants a win-win situation for all. If India wants to be a player on the world stage then the populace have to wake up to the fact they are competing for jobs with Europeans and are not owed a life abroad simply because of some brief Imperial legacy.
i am married to a vietnamese lady who comes from outside the eu. she is on a visa at present for two years. yes i agree 100 per cent that the language test be allowed. there are far two many non speaking english immigrants who do not work and rely on benefits for life. basically a free ride whilst using the race card when they dont get there own way.
Britain is a developed country yet it is racist and lacking in social areas. They should be ashamed of themselves for being so immature, selfish and egoistic. Where US and India join hands to remove terrorism, racism and all the evils from the world, Britain is busy creating more evils to be evacuated. Britishers are acting worse than illiterate people. Please get a life. And people like S. Beecroft should at least be logical and if you don't have that at least be open minded enough to learn something from other examples of world peace. It is important to understand that relations are not made on linguistic basis and if they were you and I probably wouldn't be here since people didn't know what language was a while ago. It's about to time that Britishers grow up and become more polished and better individuals.
Instead of churning this into a racist issue, how about a compromise?
That they have to learn just a little English enough to show they are trying. How about more Asian/Indian language courses for the racist lawmakers who came up with this bright idea?
Especially as white Europeans are not going to be discriminated against, only Asian/Indian are forced to obey this new human rights blight against them, it should be nipped in the bud - imagine if India had not allowed the British into the country who couldn't speak hindi.
Why don't the British Government be honest and say that people of color are not welcome instead of beating around the bush coming up with these new laws.
The rest of the world must do the same thing with the British people.I think that the British are racist people.....
I think this is a wonderful idea. Not only will it be benefical to the individuals intergretion into the community, it will also benefit in many other areas.
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