France’s Immigration Pivot: Macron’s Controversial Shift Towards Far-Right Policies

The recent toughening of France’s immigration policy under President Emmanuel Macron’s government, as reported by Deutsche Welle and Reuters, is a significant shift in the country’s immigration approach. This policy change is widely seen as an alignment with far-right positions, stirring considerable controversy within France and beyond.

The new immigration law, passed by the French parliament, includes several reforms targeting non-EU foreigners and students. These reforms involve extended waiting periods for social benefits, restricted access to housing benefits, tighter rules for migrants without residence permits (sans papiers), and the criminalization of irregular stays. Moreover, the law introduces caps on non-EU immigration and revises the process for acquiring French citizenship. It also implements stricter rules for family reunification and demands that students pay a deposit to cover potential deportation costs.

One of the most contentious aspects of the new policy is its perceived pandering to far-right sentiments. President Macron’s government, which lost its absolute majority in the National Assembly in the 2022 parliamentary elections, had to make significant concessions to the center-right Republicans and the far-right National Rally led by Marine Le Pen. The Republicans have shifted rightward in recent years, influenced by the far-right National Rally. The new law reflects this political shift, aligning with anti-immigration stances that have become more prominent across Europe.

Marine Le Pen, leader of the National Rally, has described the immigration reform as an “ideological victory” for her party. Her support for the bill, along with the Republicans’, has caused a rift within Macron’s centrist coalition, leading to internal opposition and the resignation of Health Minister Aurelien Rousseau.

The reforms have been criticized for betraying promises made by Macron’s government to fend off far-right ideas. Critics argue that the bill, which was intended to make the immigration system more efficient and expedite the expulsion of criminal or radicalized foreigners, has instead compromised France’s traditional stance on immigration and integration.

This policy shift comes at a time when other European governments are also opting for tougher migration policies. The changes have sparked a debate about the balance between managing immigration effectively and upholding the rights and dignity of migrants and refugees.