France is set to introduce a new immigration bill to the National Assembly in early 2025, following intense debates surrounding the previous immigration law passed just a year ago.
The proposed legislation comes as part of France’s broader efforts to tighten immigration policies and align with the European Union’s stance on border controls and migrant returns.
According to government spokeswoman Olivia Grégoire, there is a need for new legislation, particularly to extend the maximum detention period for illegal immigrants deemed dangerous.
Currently, the detention period is capped at 90 days, a duration only extended to 210 days in cases of suspected terrorism.
The new law would allow for this longer detention period to be applied more broadly, reflecting growing concerns about security and illegal migration.
Speaking on BFM TV, Grégoire emphasized that the government does not rule out additional measures, stating,
“There should be no taboos when it comes to protecting the French people.” The government’s objective is to present the bill to Parliament at the beginning of 2025, although it is expected to generate fresh controversy, particularly in the context of a weakened parliamentary coalition under Prime Minister Michel Barnier.
The new immigration law follows a previous bill passed on January 26, 2023, which sparked heated discussions in the National Assembly.
The law had proposed measures such as setting quotas for immigration, criminalizing illegal residence, and imposing financial guarantees on international students. However, much of the text was struck down by the Constitutional Council, particularly the immigration quotas, family reunification restrictions, and the criminalization of illegal residency.
The upcoming legislation is also being shaped by France’s new Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, a conservative figure known for his hardline stance on immigration.
In September, Retailleau remarked that “mass immigration is not an opportunity for France,” further indicating the government’s tougher approach.
The timing of the announcement is significant, as it comes just days before the European Union’s summit on October 17-18 in Brussels, where discussions are expected to focus on tightening border controls and expediting the return of irregular migrants.
The EU has also introduced a Migration and Asylum Pact in May, which includes enhanced border controls and a solidarity mechanism to assist member states with asylum seekers.
Since 1980, France has enacted 32 laws regarding immigration and foreigners, with the latest proposed bill set to continue the country’s evolution of immigration policy amid increasing political pressure across Europe.
