Global migrants

I migrated to the UK about 13 years ago from Malaysia. Many of my friends have come here from Canada, South Africa, Malaysia, America and other countries. I know other people from the UK who have migrated to New Zealand, South Africa, Singapore and all over the world.

A recent report found that migrants from Eastern Europe are settling and integrating well in the UK and it is because of them that interests rates are as low as they are here, which is a good thing for the economy.

Immigration remains a hot political issue in many countries all over the world, notwithstanding that it is generally found that immigrants are good for the host country in many ways. I was fascinated b the rallies last weekend in the US where immigrants came out in force to show what would happen to the economy without them.

Bloggers were of course at the forefront with photos and personal accounts of the May Day rallies - take a look for yourself at http://www.boingboing.net/2006/05/02/la_daywithoutanimmig.html.. There are links to rallies in different cities across the US, including New York and San Francisco.

The photos are amazing, showing the wide city streets heaving with people. There are also personal stories of immigrants taking part.

You can also watch video footage of the rallies at http://mediarights.org/may1/. (For filmmakers amongst you, this is also a site where you can upload and publicise your own film of a local event - it seems to be US based but may be of interest nonetheless.)