French Parliament Passes Controversial Immigration Bill

December 21, 2023

The French parliament, on December 19, passed a contentious immigration bill, supported by President Emmanuel Macron’s government, despite facing significant opposition from members of his own party. The legislation, which toughens rules for immigrants, marked a policy victory for Macron but revealed divisions within his centrist majority. The bill, passed as a compromise between Macron’s party and the conservative opposition, exposed cracks in the centrist majority and resulted in some left-leaning members threatening to resign.

Legislative Developments

Compromised Immigration Bill: The bill, presented as a compromise between Macron’s party and the conservative opposition, passed the lower house without the need for support from the far-right. However, it tightened immigration measures more than the initially proposed bill, leading to criticism from the left.
Far-Right Support: The far-right National Rally (RN), led by Marine Le Pen, endorsed the strengthened bill. The left-leaning members of Macron’s Renaissance Party and allied factions criticized the government for caving in to far-right pressure.
Tightened Immigration Measures: The bill, which initially aimed to simplify residency permit processes for migrants in labor sectors facing shortages, ended up introducing tighter measures. It delays migrants’ access to welfare benefits, including those for children and housing allowances, by several years.
Delayed Access to Benefits: The legislation delays access to housing benefits for unemployed non-European Union migrants by at least five years. It introduces migration quotas, makes it challenging for children of immigrants to become French citizens, and suggests that dual nationals convicted of serious crimes against the police could lose French citizenship.

Reactions

Left-Wing Opposition: Most left-wing MPs either abstained or voted against the bill, expressing concerns that it betrayed promises made to counter far-right ideas. Some threatened to resign in protest.
Prime Minister’s Defense: Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne defended the bill in parliament, stating that it would enhance the efficiency of the system by simplifying asylum application procedures and enabling quicker expulsion of criminal or radicalized foreigners.

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