Bruno Retailleau, the newly appointed French Minister of the Interior, is drawing more attention than Prime Minister Michel Barnier. Retailleau's agenda focuses on tightening immigration regulations. Is this a cause for concern among expatriates and prospective expats in France?
Immigration in France: The great confusion
On Saturday, September 21, Philippine, a young French student, was found deceased in Paris's Bois de Boulogne. Following the announcement on September 24 that the suspect—a Moroccan national previously convicted of rape in 2021 and ordered to leave France—had not left, the discourse shifted sharply towards advocating stricter immigration policies. On September 26, the Magistrates' Union decried the xenophobic rhetoric, political manipulation, and media's disproportionate focus on immigration.
The new Minister of the Interior has implied a connection between irregular immigration and increased crime, a linkage the Union strongly advises against, urging that these incidents not be viewed through the prism of immigration, which they consider unrelated. Nonetheless, their warnings are overshadowed by the prevailing political and media narratives. Retailleau has capitalized on public outrage to propose further restrictions on immigration. In France, the lines between legal and illegal immigration are increasingly indistinct, with few making the distinction. By proposing to extend detention times for those ordered to leave, Retailleau aims to tap into this discontent, although such measures fail to tackle the problem of femicides.
This reactive approach, which prioritizes emotion over analytical fact-finding, fosters harmful misconceptions, as pointed out by Antoine Léaument, a deputy from La France Insoumise (LFI), on September 28. He criticized both the far-right National Rally (RN) and the new Minister for perpetuating the unfounded correlation between immigration and criminality.
Should we expect a ban on hiring foreign workers?
The RN is using the recent turmoil following the murder of a Parisian student to push its agenda. On September 14, the RN proposed restricting companies from hiring foreign workers (European or otherwise) if a French candidate has also applied for the job, except for those possessing "rare skills." This approach, which the RN dubs "national preference," operates on the premise that unemployment is driven by foreign workers. Last summer, the RN suggested barring dual nationals from certain employment sectors and even proposed abolishing dual nationality altogether.
While the practice of prioritizing French citizens over foreign workers is largely prevalent, it's typically a measure of last resort—utilized only when no local candidates are available. However, the RN is advocating for more stringent regulations, including a requirement for job ads to specify the nationality of potential hires, similar to practices in the public sector. They also propose that companies with equally skilled French and foreign candidates must prefer the former or face potential discrimination charges. The RN is prepared to challenge both the Constitution and the EU to see these changes enacted.
Retailleau's method to reduce immigration
From his initial interviews, Retailleau has consistently emphasized immigration. Notably, during the January 2024 debates on immigration reform, he stood out among right-wing senators by advocating for the most stringent measures, such as eliminating state medical aid and housing assistance. He is now looking to revisit measures previously struck down by the Constitutional Council.
Retailleau's primary focus is curtailing illegal immigration. He intends to toughen the "Valls Circular" from 2012, named after then Minister of the Interior and Prime Minister, which conditionally allowed for the regularization of undocumented workers. He also seeks to reinstate the offense of irregular stay, eliminated under former President Hollande, and to restrict asylum rights. For legal immigration, Retailleau proposes stricter scrutiny, particularly of student visas, and aims to implement measures to diminish EU influence on French immigration policies, including a reevaluation of the Schengen agreements.
Retailleau's stance remains unwavering. On September 22, the National Audiovisual Institute (INA) released a compilation of Retailleau's immigration-related statements over the past 25 years. In 2022, he declared, “immigration is not an opportunity.” As Minister of the Interior, he is now considering more border controls, citing "the German example" of temporarily reinstated borders. Prime Minister Barnier supports these tougher approaches, promising "greater rigor" in managing immigration.
Should expats and prospective expats be concerned?
Bruno Retailleau has articulated a clear intention to "use all means to reduce immigration in France," with a policy approach succinctly described as "deport more, regularize less," primarily targeting illegal immigration. However, the question arises: should legal immigrants also feel uneasy?
As of now, Retailleau's declarations remain just that—statements. Yet, he is eager to act swiftly, planning to initiate his reforms through the parliamentary route. The RN supported the immigration reform passed in January 2024 but felt it was insufficient. With Retailleau leading, the far-right party anticipates a significant conservative shift in policy, a development that might indeed be concerning for those contemplating a move to France.
