France's populist right wing is set to back a controversial immigration law tonight, with non-European foreigners only entitled to housing benefits after five years of residence in France, provided they meet certain criteria. Exceptions will be made for migrant workers, students, and recognized asylum seekers. This compromise has been welcomed by Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin and right-wing parliamentary group leader Marine Le Pen, who sees it as a "victory" for her party. The left-wing opposition, however, views it as a "loss of dignity" for their right-wing counterparts.
The legislation, which aims to balance the deportation of rejected asylum seekers and the integration of working migrants, has been a source of controversy. The right-wing camp had previously called for medical care for migrants without the right to stay to be replaced with emergency aid only, but the government rejected this demand. President Emmanuel Macron then urged lawmakers to reach a compromise.
The new law does not directly address the issue of migrants working in France being eligible for housing benefits. However, it does introduce stricter language requirements for foreign residents, which could affect access to social services like housing benefits if migrants fail to meet the residency and integration criteria.
The support for this law by France's right-wing populists, such as Marine Le Pen's National Rally party, likely stems from its emphasis on stricter immigration controls and integration measures, which align with their anti-immigration and national sovereignty agendas.
Sources:
- Le Monde:
- Politico:
- France 24:
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The new immigration law in France, which was presented by the Minister of Interior, Bruno Retailleau, on February 24, 2025, includes several key changes:
- Stricter Language Requirements: All foreign residents must pass a written test to prove their proficiency in French, with different levels required depending on the permit sought. This could indirectly affect migrants' access to social services such as housing benefits, as many might fail to meet the residency and integration criteria.
- Impact on Visa Applications: The law primarily affects those who entered France on a short-term tourist visa or without a visa and decided to stay. These individuals will face stricter procedures to become legally recognized residents.
- Integration and Deportation Policies: The law aims to encourage better integration by requiring language proficiency tests. Officials argue that this will help migrants integrate more effectively into French society.
- Potential Denial of Residency: An impact report suggests that around 60,000 people could be denied permission to remain in France due to failing the language tests.
- Exemptions and Implementation: Retirees over 65 and those renewing annual visitor visas are expected to be exempt from the language requirements. The exact date for the decree to come into effect has not been set.
These changes underline the French government's focus on immigration control and integration, which is likely to be popular with France's right-wing populist parties such as Marine Le Pen's National Rally. However, critics argue that the stricter measures will negatively impact vulnerable migrants and make it more difficult for them to access crucial services in France.
