France to Implement New Immigration Law in 2025

According to a spokeswoman, the French government plans to introduce a new immigration law next year, as the newly formed right-wing administration aims to tighten immigration controls.

“There will be a need for a new law,” government spokeswoman Maud Bregeon told broadcaster BFMTV on Sunday.

The government’s proposal to strengthen immigration policies and border enforcement reflects the rightward movement in French politics after this summer’s legislative elections, which ended in a hung parliament.

Michel Barnier’s administration aims to present the bill to parliament in early 2025.

“We don’t rule out the possibility of considering other provisions”, said Bregeon, adding that there should be “no taboos when it comes to protecting the French.”

France had already enacted an immigration law in December.

The legislation was toughened to secure backing from far-right and right-wing lawmakers.

However, the nation’s top constitutional body rejected many of the new amendments, which were excluded before President Emmanuel Macron enacted the law.

he measures struck down by the Constitutional Council “will serve as a basis for the new immigration bill”, a government source told AFP. “Some of them could be modified and there will be additions.”

Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, the government’s most hardline member, has pledged to take a tough stance on immigration. He sparked controversy shortly after taking office, stating that “the rule of law is neither inviolable nor sacred.”

Retailleau, who formerly led the Republicans in the Senate, was considered the main force behind the strict legislation introduced last year.

He seeks to bring back the crime of unlawful residency, along with other initiatives.

Gabriel Attal, who succeeded Barnier and now heads Macron’s Renaissance party in parliament, mentioned on Monday that a new immigration law doesn’t appear to be an “absolute priority.”

“Adopting a law for the sake of a law makes no sense,”  he told France Inter.

He emphasized that “the main focus should be ensuring the state has genuine control over who enters and exits” France.

AFP