Author: Julia Pascual
Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau at the Assemblée Nationale in Paris, October 2, 2024. JULIEN MUGUET FOR LE MONDE French Prime Minister Michel Barnier’s government did not resurrect the Immigration Ministry despite rumors. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau has outlined immigration as one of his top priorities, vowing to reduce legal immigration. With a focus on deportation and regularization of undocumented individuals, Retailleau aims to bring changes following the recent uptick in residence permits issued in France. Tasking prefects with reporting back to him, Retailleau seeks to gather data on deportations and regularization efforts, setting new targets and instructions. By leveraging executive…
Firefighters in charge of rescued migrants at the port of Boulogne-sur-Mer, in northern France on September 3, 2024. AIMÉE THIRION FOR LE MONDE A tragic incident unfolded off the coast of northern France on September 3, 2024, as a boat carrying migrants sank, resulting in a devastating loss of life. More than 20,000 migrants had made the perilous journey across the English Channel in inflatable boats that year. The rescue mission involved an extensive search effort, with fishing boats and helicopters scouring the area for survivors. The prosecutor in Boulogne-sur-Mer reported 12 fatalities, including 10 women and six minors, with…
The diplomatic tension between Paris and Algiers raises concerns about the future of deportations of undocumented nationals. After Algeria withdrew its ambassador to France following Macron’s letter to the Moroccan king on Western Sahara, potential consequences may include a halt to expelling Algerians, as the Algerian government delays issuing necessary travel documents. Consular Travel Documents as Diplomatic Pressure Consular travel documents are crucial for deporting foreign nationals without a passport, serving as a diplomatic leverage. The French government previously froze visas to North African countries due to issues with document issuance, hinting at a possible resumption of tensions. The situation…
In the eastern French town of Seloncourt, 85-year-old widow Christiane enjoys her daily treat of sitting on a bench opposite her apartment. Her neighbor Danielle, a 75-year-old retired worker, plans to vote for the far-right Rassemblement National party in the upcoming elections. Both women cite concerns about pensions, immigration, and a desire for change as reasons for their voting choices. Another Seloncourt resident, 76-year-old Nicole, also plans to vote for the RN party, expressing frustration with the current political landscape and a belief that things need to change. Despite Macron’s popularity in the town during the 2017 election, support for…