The new law is aimed at regulating the influx of immigrants, but does not prescribe fixed numerical limits; rather it adopts the criteria of only letting non-EU foreigners enter the country if there are no Germans or Europeans willing to perform the particular jobs they would be eligible to fill. Preference is given to skilled manpower, who will be able to enjoy unlimited residence permits and enter the country thanks to a system of points awarded on the basis of a combination of age, professional qualification and knowledge of the German language. A different regime exists for unskilled workers who will only be eligible for temporary permits. Anyone who is persecuted or suffers discrimination of a sexual nature may be eligible to have his/her own refugee status recognized for humanitarian reasons, in conformity with the provisions of the Geneva Convention, and enjoy the right to a residence permit. A controversial point is that of the immigrant’s right to be joined by members of his family. The age for the automatic right of children to join their family in Germany without need for a work permit has been lowered from 14 to 12, whereas the churches and humanitarian organizations has requested that it be raised to the age of 18.
