France: French Set to Introduce Controversial New Immigration Law in 2025

In order to solve persistent issues with immigration and security, the French government plans to implement a new immigration legislation in early 2025. This proposal comes after a prior immigration measure was passed in January 2024, which caused a great deal of controversy and dissension in the French Parliament.

The intention to increase the detention time for illegal migrants who are considered a threat from 90 days to 210 days is one of the most contentious features of the proposed law. Maud Bregeon, a government spokesman, underlined that this action is required to adjust to changing security.

Additionally, unauthorized migrants in family settings will be subject to stricter qualifying requirements for regularization under the new law. The goal of this action is to restrict the options for migrants looking to get legal status in France.

Michel Barnier’s government hopes the bill will be submitted to parliament at the beginning of 2025.

In September, a Paris student was raped and murdered in a case that has further inflamed a French debate on migration after a Moroccan was named as the suspected attacker.

The government wants to extend the detention period for undocumented migrants deemed to be dangerous in order to better enforce expulsion orders.

One of the options under consideration is to increase the maximum period of detention from 90 to 210 days, which is now only possible for terrorist offences.

The proposed changes are expected to deepen divisions within President Macron’s coalition, as they may alienate more moderate members while appealing to right-wing factions. The previous immigration law faced backlash and led to resignations within Macron’s cabinet, indicating potential challenges ahead for this new proposal