Four elderly foreigners who have made significant contributions to Taiwan over the past few decades received their permanent residency status yesterday from Minister of the Interior Yu Cheng-hsien (余政憲).
To signify Taiwan's high regard for their long-time devotion and good deeds toward the nation, Yu visited Bjarne Gislefoss and his wife Alfhild Gislefoss in Nantou County, Joyce Millan in Changhua County and Doris Brougham in Taipei City -- presenting them with Alien Permanent Resident Certificates.
Yu will today also travel to Ilan to present the same certificates to Ted Skiles and his wife, Beverly Skiles, while the ministry's Political Vice Minister Hsu Yin-shen (許應深) will travel to Penghu on behalf of Yu to present the certificate to Marjorie Bly.
PHOTO: TUNG CHENG-KUO, TAIPEI TIMES
Yesterday's recipients were the first beneficiaries of the relaxation of related legislation.
The Legislative Yuan on May 14 ratified amendments to the Immigration Law that approved a proposal to grant permanent residency to foreigners who have made commendable contributions to the nation. The amendments took effect on May 29.
The revisions to the immigration law also significantly eased the requirements for foreigners and alien family members of Taiwanese nationals seeking permanent residency in Taiwan.
"This [permanent residency] is the most valuable gift that both me and my wife have received in Taiwan," Bjarne Gislefoss was quoted as saying upon receiving the certificate from Yu.
The Gislefosses established the Puli Christian Hospital in Nantou County and have devoted nearly 50 years of their time and their medical expertise to the locals and Aboriginal populations.
"Many of our respected foreign friends have not been able to obtain their permanent residency under the previous rules that required applicants to live in the country for at least 270 days a year for seven consecutive years," said Yu at the presentation to Doris Brougham.
Yu was referring to the phenomenon that, due to frequent trips overseas -- and despite having lived in Taiwan for decades -- foreign missionaries and residents remained non-eligible for permanent residency under the previous immigration law.
"I am gratified that revisions to the immigration law in regard to that [previous situation] have been passed, thus allowing foreign residents whom have made great contributions to Taiwan to get permanent residency here," Yu said.
"I am thankful for all those who helped push through the process that enabled me to get my permanent residency," said Doris Brougham.
"By obtaining it [the permanent residency], I think it really serves as an encouragement to other foreigners who now can say to themselves that they also have the opportunity to obtain theirs."
Brougham, a Christian missionary from Seattle, has dedicated herself to advancing the Tai-wanese public's English proficiency since 1962 with her Studio Classroom magazine and radio and TV programs.
SPACE VETERAN: Kjell N. Lindgren, who helps lead NASA’s human spaceflight missions, has been on two expeditions on the ISS and has spent 311 days in space Taiwan-born US astronaut Kjell N. Lindgren is to visit Taiwan to promote technological partnerships through one of the programs organized by the US for its 250th national anniversary. Lindgren would be in Taiwan from Tuesday to Saturday next week as part of the US Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs’ US Speaker Program, organized to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) said in a statement yesterday. Lindgren plans to engage with key leaders across the nation “to advance cutting-edge technological partnerships and inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers,”
UNREASONABLE SURVEILLANCE: A camera targeted on an road by a neighbor captured a man’s habitual unsignaled turn into home, netting him dozens of tickets The Taichung High Administrative Court has canceled all 45 tickets given to a man for failing to use a turn signal while driving, as it considered long-term surveillance of his privacy more problematic than the traffic violations. The man, surnamed Tseng (曾), lives in Changhua County and was reported 45 times within a month for failing to signal while driving when he turned into the alley where his residence is. The reports were filed by his neighbor, who set up security cameras that constantly monitored not only the alley but also the door and yard of Tseng’s house. The surveillance occurred from July
A Japan Self-Defense Forces vessel entered the Taiwan Strait yesterday, Japanese media reported. After passing through the Taiwan Strait, the Ikazuchi was to proceed to the South China Sea to take part in a joint military exercise with the US and the Philippines, the reports said. Japan Self-Defense Force vessels were first reported to have passed through the strait in September, 2024, with two further transits taking place in February and June last year, the Asahi Shimbun reported. Yesterday’s transit also marked the first time since Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi took office that a Japanese warship has been sent through the Taiwan
‘SAME OLD TRICK’: Even if Beijing resumes individual travel to Taiwan, it would only benefit Chinese tourism companies, the Economic Democracy Union convener said China’s 10 new “incentives” are “sugar-coated poison,” an official said yesterday, adding that Taiwanese businesses see them clearly for what they are, but that Beijing would inevitably find some local collaborators to try to drums up support. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, made the remark ahead of a news conference the General Chamber of Commerce is to hold today. The event, titled “Industry Perspectives on China’s Recent Pro-Taiwan Policies,” is expected to include representatives from industry associations — such as those in travel, hotels, food and agriculture — to request the government cooperate with China’s new measures, people familiar with
RSS