In a recent move, the French parliament has approved a law that restricts Nigerian students and other migrants from bringing their families into the country.
The legislation, which gained support from President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist Renaissance party and Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally, faced initial rejection but was subsequently redrafted with more stringent provisions.
The amended immigration policy not only complicates the process for migrants to reunite with their families in France but also introduces delays in accessing welfare benefits.
A notable aspect of the law is the prohibition of detaining minors in detention centers, though leaders in several French regions have expressed resistance to certain aspects of the legislation.
One contentious provision within the law differentiates between citizens and migrants, even those residing legally in the country, in determining eligibility for benefits. This divisive element found favor among right-wing parties, with Eric Ciotti, leader of the right-wing Republican party, hailing it as “firm and courageous.”
Marine Le Pen welcomed the revised bill as an “ideological victory” for the far-right, emphasizing its significance. However, critics from the left accused President Macron of enabling the far-right, with Socialist party leader Olivier Faure stating, “History will remember those who betrayed their convictions.”
Despite the majority support for the legislation, internal divisions within the governing alliance became apparent, as 27 MPs voted against it and 32 abstained, representing nearly a quarter of pro-Macron MPs. Health Minister Aurélien Rousseau, a former member of the Communist Party, resigned in protest against certain measures in the bill.
Moreover, 32 of France’s 101 departments, including Paris, have declared their refusal to implement specific provisions of the law related to benefits for non-citizens. This move showcases regional resistance and highlights the complexities surrounding the enforcement of the new immigration measures.
The French parliament’s decision coincided with an EU agreement to reform the asylum system across the bloc’s 27 member states. The new pact, which awaits formal approval, includes the establishment of border detention centers and expedited deportation procedures for rejected asylum seekers. The developments in France underscore the broader challenges and debates surrounding immigration policies within the European Union.
