France’s Justice Minister Calls for Immigration Suspension
France’s Justice Minister, Gérald Darmanin, has proposed a pause on immigration for up to three years, citing an unprecedented number of foreign residents in the country.
As he appears to set his sights on possibly succeeding Emmanuel Macron in the 2027 presidential elections, Darmanin is taking a firmer approach to immigration, aligning with the centre-right’s growing sentiment.
In a recent interview with broadcaster LCI, he suggested that France should enforce a “suspension of immigration” for two to three years. This would encompass work and family visas, though he mentioned that certain exemptions might be granted for professionals like doctors, researchers, and some students.
He argued that France’s economy currently depends on affordable migrant labor and that a moratorium on immigration would necessitate raising wages to draw in inactive workers already residing in the country.
Darmanin pointed out the “hypocrisy” of maintaining a relatively high unemployment rate—about 8%—while still hiring foreign workers to fill job vacancies.
He also asserted that, following the moratorium, immigration levels should be limited, suggesting that the annual cap on immigrants ought to reflect the preferences of the public. “I think we should ask the French people directly about their quota policy: ‘How many people do you want?'” he remarked.
This stance, clearly articulated with an eye on future elections, resonates with the views of National Rally leaders such as Jordan Bardella and Marine Le Pen, both of whom have long advocated for an immigration moratorium and a public referendum on the issue.
Darmanin is likely to vie for votes in the upcoming presidential race against figures like former Prime Minister Édouard Philippe and former Interior Minister Bruno Le Roux. Yet, the early tough rhetoric from centrist candidates illustrates how much the narrative around immigration in France has evolved.
This discussion arises in the context of an increasing number of foreigners holding residence permits in France, which reached a historic high of over 4.5 million in 2025, marking a 3.2% rise from the previous year. Excluding those who have become citizens, this equates to more than 8% of the overall population.
The foreign demographic is predominantly from the Maghreb nations—Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia—former French colonies. According to the Directorate General for Foreigners in France (DGEF), the largest group consists of Algerians, numbering 658,000, followed by Moroccans at 621,000 and Tunisians at 312,000.
The report also found that nearly 60% of new French citizens originated from Africa.
Commenting on the statistics, National Rally leader Jordan Bardella stated that 384,000 first residence permits were issued in 2025, which is an 11% rise and a record in the country’s history. He asserted that the ongoing immigration policy poses risks to the French population. “This senseless policy is putting the French people at risk of extinction,” Bardella stated. “If the French people trust us, we will decisively end this policy and regain control.”
