December 29, 2007

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Adults in Germany, Britain and the United States clearly support examining prospective immigrants, according to a poll by Harris Interactive published in the Financial Times. At least 80 per cent of respondents in the three countries want new immigrants to take a citizenship and language test.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Adults in Germany, Britain and the United States clearly support examining prospective immigrants, according to a poll by Harris Interactive published in the Financial Times. At least 80 per cent of respondents in the three countries want new immigrants to take a citizenship and language test.

Italy and France are next on the list with 61 per cent each, followed by Spain with 50 per cent.

Immigrants who wish to attain British citizenship must pass two tests: one gauges whether applicants can read, write, speak and understand English, and the other reviews their knowledge of national culture.

Earlier this month, Ireland announced plans for the introduction of a language test. An applicant must demonstrate "reasonable competence" for communicating in either English or Irish in order to gain citizenship. Irish justice minister Brian Lenihan explained the rationale, saying, "(Citizenship) should not just be a matter of clocking up the necessary number of months for residence."

Polling Data

Should new immigrants be required to take a citizenship and language test in order to remain in (the UK/ France/ Italy/ Spain/ Germany/ the U.S.)?

 

	USA	BRI	FRA	ITA	ESP	GER
Yes	80%	83%	61%	61%	50%	86%
No	11%	8%	21%	29%	35%	9%
Not sure	8%	10%	18%	10%	15%	5%

Source: Harris Interactive / Financial Times
Methodology: Online interviews with 6,226 adults in Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United States, conducted from Nov. 28 to Dec. 4, 2007. Margin of error for individual countries is 3 per cent.