After the assassination of Theo Van Gogh, Dutch declaring war on Muslim terrorism and calls for a 5 year total halt on immigration, there is now legislation heading through requiring new immigrants to take an examination on Dutch culture and language before they can go there.

There has also been more violence against Muslims and arson on mosques as death threats and murders from Islamic groups have risen. As of January 1, 2005 a law went into effect requiring anyone over 14-years-old to carry official identification at all times.

A recent immigration report shows that more people are leaving the Netherlands than are immigrating or seeking asylum.

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The Dutch government is proposing that people applying to live in The Netherlands will have to take an examination to prove that they understand the language and culture, before they get here.

Today's Daily Telegraph carries a report on proposals that were announced in parliament on Thursday, where Rita Verdonk, the Minister for Integration and Immigration, said a video film designed to capture the essence of Dutch life would be sent to applicants in their home countries. The proposals were first announced by Minister Verdonk in December.

The Telegraph report said that it's expected that some 14,000 candidates, mostly from Turkey, Morocco and Suriname, will take the test each year under the proposed newcomers' integration act, which must first be approved by parliament. The report said that the exam would not be required for citizens of other European Union countries, or for people from Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Canada, the USA, Australia, New Zealand or Japan. Female victims of people trafficking would also be exempt.

Other Commentary:

SlantPoint says the US should implement similar immigration reforms. I agree.