The planned immigration reform is planned to pass this week. Several meetings of coalition faction chiefs were spotted in the last couple of days. The immigration refrom would sector the world into three zones.
The first one would allow free movement of persons. Die Lupe reported that they have access to documents in which the countries were listed. For example: Gianatla, Besern and USI are in the first zone, whilst Emerald and Denver, Esfalsa and Sedunn would be put into zone 2 requiring a visa for longer stays (>30 days), zone three has other countries like Jakub, Techganet, N&GB and others which would require a vise to enter Eflad.
Permanent immigration for countries from zone 3 would only be available for skilled workers. Zone 2 would allow permanent immigration for those who start an apprenticeship/vocational education. Zone 1 would be free immigration.
Kliegme, unable to sustain the influx of refugees, began flying refugees to Eflad. It is expected that 200,000 more refugees will arrive than the initial 150,000.
Izaakians celebrate Halloween, amongst the celebrations is the traditional Slaughterhouse Ball, reputed to be the most haunted building in Keyli. This is the first time the event has been held since the death of President Blanc and the Cabinet.
Children all across the Frost empire were seen donning costumes of various monsters, heroes, villains and more to celebrate Halloween and go trick or treating.
Noah Vosen the Governor of Vinlandia has ended the lockdown in Athos county following widespread arrests and counter terror operations. He described the situation as still elevated, and told citizens to remain vigilant. Over the last few weeks the state has implemented the most advanced public surveillance system in the world in a bid to stay ahead of the ALF and Terra Firma.
Eflad has welcomed the first refugees on Ares Island at a brand new camp. A small part of it is still under construction. Efladian foreign minister welcomed the refugees saying: “even though it is a bit loud here, it will be finished quickly. Welcome to Eflad! We are happy to help you go through the terrible situation at home.”
The Sænat will meet tonight to discuss the immigration reform.
The Kliegmean Duma has voted overwhelmingly to condemn what they believe to be Efladian betrayal of agreements regarding the refugees, using a law discriminating individuals against their culture to justify their actions.
The Efladian ambassador has been summoned to the Strelna, the Presidential Office, to explain his government’s policy thoroughly with its intentions fully unclouded to the Kliegmean Foreign Minister and the President himself.
Sveral Media Organisations publicised Eflad’s concerning views regarding the Britolasian invasion of Romordia by including it as a part of NAGB, to the International Society.
Ministry of Internal Affairs has announced that it will not accept any repatriations of refugees from Eflad. However, it will raise it’s threshold to 100,000 to accommodate reality.
Despite all the backlash against Eflad, Kliegme will maintain a temporary visa-free policy for Eflad.
However, in the refugee camps in Kliegme, it has been reported that the Gosgvardiya demand ”Security background checks” from Efladian humanitarian workers.
The Ryccian government has condemned Eflad’s new immigration and visa system, calling it “xenophobic and discriminatory. It is not based on facts and rational concerns, but on a prejudice that’d ought to have been eliminated from this world long ago”.
Officials within the Termina Commerce guild have allegedly called Eflad’s new immigration a ‘blessing in disguise’ to attract foreign workers into the struggling Confederacy.
Meanwhile the Emergency meeting have shifted to determinewhether or not to grant the guild greater powers to combat the recession, with some city-states decrying the move as a blatant power grab.
The United States of Izaakia reciprocates the free movement of people with Eflad, becoming only the fourth nation to reach such an agreement. The others being Techganet, Keanu and Hurley, and Qaweritoyu.
Jakub’s congress has requested the Efladian ambassador to appear before the Jakubian congress to explain Eflad’s new immigration law.
The Human Rights Council of Jakub(a nongovernmental political organization) has referred to the law as “discriminatory” and “a violation of Jakubian and many other nations’ people’s rights”.
Officials from the Kensei Administration declined to comment on the uproar regarding Eflad’s new immigration system. However, the administration has summoned the Efladian ambassador to clarify where the Frost empire fits within this new immigration system and determine the means to smooth over any potential incidents with respect to travel between the two states.
Efladian Foreign minister and the Home Minister held a press conference to clarify the new immigration law:
1. What do the three Zones mean?
Foreign Minister: “This reform is constructed so that we have a system. We could have called the three zones “Visa free”, “Visa necessary” and “Only Visa” but we decided to go with the restriction names. This reform doesn’t mean that people from other countries in zones 2 and 3 can’t enter Eflad. The immigration reform focuses on long term immigration not on tourist immigration. We have to regulate our market and we welcome skilled workers to Eflad from every country! Just a not to the Confederacy: Don’t get ahead of yourself!”
Home Affairs Minister: “We have to realise that our capacities are full. Cities, municipalities are asking for help. This immigration law is a two parter. First of all we have to cap the immigration or we won’t be able to sustain the people coming. Secondly we will provide financial support to municipalities so that they can accommodate them. Should we leave them on the streets? What should we do? An another plan is being refined so that people with a lower qualification can come to Eflad and can start to work. Under the current programme there are several hurdles and we want to make it easier for them.”
2. Several nations have condemned this immigration reform and said that it is xenophobic. What is the government's stance?
FM: “This is just plain wrong. I mean we have to be real here, there are cultures that are different to ours. And that’s how it should be. If we were all uniform it would be a catastrophe! We have to acknowledge that where there are vast differences in culture it takes longer to integrate, because it has to come from both sides. Eflad sadly has neither the resources nor the time for that long time process. You can say thank you for that to the last government. They are those who overspent and left institutions in ruins.
I want to assure to my international colleagues: Eflad is an open country. We don’t discriminate against anyone. Everyone in our position would have done exactly the same us. I am certain about that.”
HAM: “I can only reiterate what my colleague has said. Several of our immigration centres were on the brink of collapse and we had to do something. This law is a humane way to tell to people, if you can contribute to our society you are welcome. We have to have a system, uhh categories, no? I can only say to other nations that they needn’t be concerned, we are ready for talks and deal so that we can ensure that immigration happens under control.”
3. There is a certain *Geschmäckle* (whiff of scandal) that this law was passed due to the surge of Romordian refugees.
FA: “That is just wrong. The law was in preparation for months now. It just happened that we passed it recently. The situation of Romordian refugees is not an easy one. We are hoping our international partners can help us ease the burden on Eflad and most importantly on the refugees. We need to accommodate them and we don’t have enough resources to accommodate 300 thousand. We appeal to the international community to help us and Kliegme.”
Ryccia’s main state-owned mining conglomerate, Aurum, has announced a $200 million investment into mines, projects and related assets in southwest Kliegme. Analysts believe the move is meant to mellow strained relations over the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” debacle between the two countries, but it’s a surprise for many. The Ryccian ambassador accompanied the company executives on the brief announcement ceremony.
After a night of discussions, the Efladian Ambassador in Kliegme together with the Kliegmean foreign minister announced that Eflad and Kliegme have agreed to move Kliegme to Zone 2 in accordance with the new immigration law. Kliegmenas will no longer need a visa to enter Eflad as tourist for 30 days. Efladians will continue to have visa free access to Kliegme after the situation in Romordia is concluded.
In a similar fashion, the Efladian Ambassador in Frost announced that Frost will be placed in zone 2, meaning a visa free 30 days. The Frost Empire will reciprocate the deal and make it easier for Efladians who want to settle there.
Jakub and Eflad have made an agreement to create a special subcategory of the Zone 2. Jakubian citizens will be able to enter Eflad on a 14 day visa free time. In exchange Jakub will lift tariffs on goods coming from Eflad.
The foreign minister was interviewed in a small café. Reflecting on these deals he said: “I see this as an absolute win! We have established that nations have the possibility to change zones and it has had a positive on Eflad. If I may, I’d like to enjoy my coffee for a bit please.”