The French National Assembly has passed a controversial bill tightening entry conditions for the relatives of immigrants living in France.
Under the legislation, the relatives will have to prove they are solvent financially and can speak French.
It also includes plans for DNA testing of foreigners seeking to join family members living in France.
But the new bill has been criticised by some members of President Nicolas Sarkozy’s http://www.wvwnews.net/story.php?id=1331 government.
The legislation would require immigrant family members older than 16 to take a test in their country of origin, demonstrating a good knowledge of French http://www.wvwnews.net/story.php?id=1311.
Applicants would also have to prove that their family in France could support them and earn at least the minimum wage.
If immigration officials doubt that an applicant is a genuine relative of the person they seek to join, they could be asked to take – and pay for – a DNA test to prove a biological link.An amendment to the bill on these tests says they will be carried out for a trial period of only two years.
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