France’s Justice Minister Proposes Immigration Suspension
France’s Justice Minister, Gerald Darmanin, has suggested a three-year halt on immigration, asserting that the nation has hit its “limits” following years of increasing foreign arrivals.
Darmanin, a member of President Emmanuel Macron’s Renaissance party and with experience in various cabinet roles, particularly in border security, has voiced concerns regarding the country’s capacity to accept additional migrants without jeopardizing social cohesion. He also expressed worries about his party’s ability to manage public dissatisfaction without taking decisive action.
In an interview, Darmanin dismissed the notion that race is a barrier to immigrant integration. However, he did express that certain immigrants show a lack of “respect for the values” of France, which complicates assimilation. He identified the scale of immigration as a significant factor impeding unity and called for a complete pause on further immigration.
“We have reached the limits of our ability to integrate and assimilate, so I strongly believe we need to end immigration as it stands. Therefore, I propose a three-year moratorium on legal immigration,” he stated.
He further added, “Let’s stop immigration. We need to expel those who should be removed and issue visas conditional on acceptance of deportation orders. Plus, let’s focus on integrating those already in the country.”
In addition to the proposed suspension, Darmanin is advocating for reforms to the immigration system. These include an end to automatic family reunification and chain migration, which allows one immigrant to bring several family members. He suggested that the government should establish “limited quotas” regarding the number of visas issued annually, as well as outline the necessary skills and regions needed.
Darmanin is widely anticipated to be a candidate for the upcoming presidential election next year, though he hasn’t officially announced his intention. He has previously suggested that it’s vital to have a singular candidate represent both the right and center, potentially even some from the left-wing, to prevent the radical left from gaining ground.
In possibly positioning himself as a leader for a “republican left,” Darmanin pointed to immigration issues not just as a governmental failure but also as a result of “wild capitalism,” where corporations exploit cheap foreign labor to lower wages. He remarked, “Many of the challenging jobs are now held by foreign workers, who are often underpaid and mistreated by unscrupulous employers.”
Though officially a “colorblind” society, France does not maintain detailed statistics on race. Yet, a recent study from the National Institute for Population Research found that as of 2020, one in three individuals in the country was either an immigrant or a descendant of immigrants.
The shifting demographics are likely to play a significant role in the forthcoming presidential election. Key figures like Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella from the populist Rassemblement National Party are expected to be central to this discourse, with center-right candidates, including Republican senator Bruno Retailot, likely joining the conversation.
Moreover, the current immigrant population is anticipated to significantly influence the election outcomes. Recent research indicated that four in ten voters of non-European descent intend to support far-left radical Jean-Luc Mélenchon, escalating to 51% among the Muslim community.
