France’s 29th immigration bill since 1980 has sparked a contentious political battle, with both the left and right criticizing the proposed measures. The bill aims to appeal to both sides of the political spectrum by offering a path to legal residency for undocumented workers while also making it easier to enforce deportation orders. However, this attempt to find a compromise has resulted in a deadlock that has lasted for months.
Experts have criticized the bill as mere “political theatre,” with little consideration given to the actual impact of previous immigration laws. Camille Le Coz, a Senior Policy Analyst at the Migration Policy Institute, highlights the purely political nature of these laws, stating that each government feels the need to pass new legislation on migration without evaluating the effectiveness of previous policies.
France has a long history of contentious debates surrounding immigration. Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, France attracted immigrants from various European countries, including Belgium, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, and Poland. However, labor market competition often led to violence, such as the 1893 massacre of Italian seasonal workers in Aigues-Mortes.
After World War II, France sought to open its borders and welcome immigrants as part of an effort to undo the damage of European fascism and promote human rights. However, public opinion towards immigrants began to shift in the 1970s with the oil crisis and the rise of the far-right National Front. Immigration policies became more restrictive, and anti-immigration rhetoric became increasingly common.
Nicolas Sarkozy, who served as both Interior Minister and President of France, introduced the concept of “chosen immigration” in 2007. The idea was to prioritize certain immigrants based on economic factors while tightening residency conditions for others. Integration also became a key focus, with mandatory cultural integration contracts introduced as a response to widespread riots and perceived failures of integration.
Despite France’s official stance of being colorblind and not collecting racial data, race and ethnicity continue to play a role in discussions of immigration and integration. Critics argue that a colorblind approach is not sufficient and that more attention needs to be given to the experiences of different racial and ethnic groups.
France’s new immigration bill proposes various measures, including easing regularisation measures for some migrants, streamlining the deportation process, and fast-tracking the asylum process. However, concerns have been raised about the fairness and due process of these measures. The bill also includes provisions for language requirements, talent visas, and allowing asylum seekers to work while their cases are pending.
In parallel with France’s legislation, the EU is finalizing its New Pact on Migration and Asylum. However, similar skepticism surrounds this reform, with critics arguing that the primary driving force behind the changes is political. The pressure to adopt these measures before the upcoming European parliamentary elections could have significant implications for policymakers’ re-election chances.
As the debate over immigration continues in France and across Europe, it is clear that finding a balanced and effective approach remains a significant challenge for policymakers.
Original Story at www.euronews.com – 2023-07-02 07:01:13