Less than a year after the last Immigration law, the French government is preparing for a new immigration law in 2025. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau indicated that this new legislation is necessary to supplement the previous law, which faced significant censorship from the Constitutional Council. The government spokesperson Maud Bregeon confirmed the timeline for the new law, stating it will be addressed after the budget in 2025. The previous law, supported by Gérald Darmanin, had sparked intense debates within the former presidential majority, and many implementing decrees remain pending, including the list of 'in tension' professions aimed at regularizing undocumented workers in critical sectors.
The forthcoming law is expected to build upon the measures that were censored in January, with potential modifications and new additions. Retailleau has expressed a desire to reduce social rights for migrants, which may include extending the residence period required for foreigners to access family benefits and reforming the State Medical Aid (AME) to cover only emergency situations. Additionally, there are plans to increase the maximum detention period for 'dangerous' foreigners and to tighten family reunification criteria, which could see the required residence period extended from 18 to 24 months.
Despite the contentious nature of immigration policy in France, the government appears to be moving forward with its agenda. There have been indications of internal disagreements, particularly between Retailleau and Minister of Ecology Agnès Pannier-Runacher, as well as varying priorities within the executive. Negotiations for the new law are expected to be as contentious as those surrounding the previous immigration legislation, reflecting a broader struggle over immigration policy in France.
- The proposed changes in the new immigration law highlight a significant shift in France's approach to immigration, emphasizing stricter criteria and limitations on social benefits for migrants. The potential extension of the detention period and the tightening of family reunification criteria are particularly controversial and may face opposition from various rights groups and political factions.
- The government's commitment to maintaining the Valls circular, while simultaneously introducing more restrictive criteria, indicates a complex balancing act between the need for labor immigration and the desire to control migration flows. This situation reflects the ongoing debate within France regarding immigration, integration, and the social responsibilities of the state.
- As the government prepares to draft the new law, the political landscape remains fraught with challenges. The necessity for a majority support in parliament will be critical, especially given the divided opinions on immigration within the ruling coalition and the potential for public backlash against stricter immigration policies.
