The Israeli government has had success in its campaign to deport illegal foreign workers from the country, according to a report published by the Immigration Police.  According to the report, there are currently 120,000 undocumented foreign workers in Israel and the immigration Police expect that number to drop to 70,000 by the end of this year.  In 2002, there were a quarter of a million undocumented foreign workers.

Immigration Police are attributing the latest figures to an increased efficiency of the agency.  At the beginning of 2003, 19 percent of foreign workers investigated by police were arrested and at the end of the year that percentage rose to 40 percent.

*****

According to the Spanish government, over 120,000 foreigners residing in the country can vote in the upcoming European elections.  According to Spain’s National Institute of Statistics’ (INE) latest figures, there were 123,642 citizens from European Union countries now living in Spain.  About 35 million European citizens have the right to vote in the European elections on June 13.  Foreign voters can contact their embassies or consulates between April 26 and May 3 in Spain.

*****

Belgian police arrested 15 Brazilian people in connection with a major forgery scam involving fraudulent identity papers. Two of the alleged forgers had already been arrested last year and were handed over to Brussels prosecutors, while among the other 13 people arrested, five have been deported to Brazil and four have been ordered to leave Belgium.  Police estimate the false documents sold for between EUR 200 and EUR 400 a piece on the black market.

*****

The First Minister, Jack MacConnell, told the Scottish Trade Union Congress in Glasgow that Scotland had the fastest-falling population in Europe and without fresh talent the economy growth would vanish in an attempt to urge the country’s trade unions not to consider an influx of skilled immigrants as a threat to the jobs of Scottish workers.

MacConnell suggested a well-managed asylum and immigration system for the UK would benefit Scotland.  He has initiated a Fresh Talent movement, which he said would hopefully bring more skilled immigrants into Scotland.

*****

Turkey has recently reduced the price of tourist visas for U.S. citizens to $20 from $100, the price it has been since late 2002 when the cost was raised for Americans in response to an increase imposed by the U.S. for non-immigrant visas and border-crossing cards.

Turkey has additionally reduced port fees for visiting cruise ships by 40 to 50 percent, depending on the port.  Americans must obtain visas to enter Turkey either upon entering the country or in advance from one of the Turkish consulates in the United States.