France to Adopt New Immigration Law in 2025 Amid Growing Controversy

The French government has announced plans to adopt a new immigration law in early 2025, as part of its efforts to tighten immigration policies and enhance border security. This move comes amid a significant rightward shift in French politics following the recent legislative elections that resulted in a hung parliament.

Government spokeswoman Maud Bregeon stated that a new immigration law is necessary to adapt several provisions, and the bill is expected to be presented to parliament at the beginning of 2025. The decision is driven by the new right-wing government’s aim to crack down on immigration, particularly in the wake of recent incidents that have heightened public concern over migration issues.

A recent case in September, where a Paris student was raped and murdered by a Moroccan suspect who had been issued a deportation order that was not enforced, has further inflamed the debate on immigration in France. In response, the government is considering measures such as extending the detention period for undocumented migrants deemed to be dangerous. One proposal includes increasing the maximum detention period from 90 to 210 days, a duration currently reserved for terrorist offenses.

France has one of the highest numbers of deportation orders in Europe, with over 134,000 recorded in 2022, but the enforcement rate of these orders is among the lowest, at just 7 percent. The new law aims to improve the enforcement of these orders and address the ideological deadlock surrounding immigration. Prime Minister Michel Barnier has emphasized the need to move past this deadlock and ensure the state can effectively control who enters and leaves France.

Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, known for his hard-line stance on immigration, has vowed to reinstate penalties for illegal residency and other stringent measures. His comments, including the assertion that “the rule of law is neither inviolable nor sacred,” have sparked controversy shortly after he took office.

The new law will also draw on provisions that were previously struck down by the Constitutional Council. Last December, France passed an immigration law that was toughened to gain support from far-right and conservative lawmakers, but many of its new amendments were censured by the Constitutional Council before being enacted).