French Parliament Debates Controversial Immigration Bill Amid Protests and Criticism from Rights Groups

Bill Intends to Ease Deportation, Offers Legal Status for Some Undocumented Workers; Faces Opposition from Both Left and Right Wing Lawmakers

French senators are debating a controversial immigration bill that aims to make the deportation process for certain migrants easier. It also proposes to grant legal status to some undocumented workers in sectors facing labor shortages.
This legislation has been postponed several times due to opposition from both political wings. The right-wing argues that granting legal status would attract more migrants, while the left-wing and human rights advocates argue that the bill threatens migrants' rights.
French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin asserts that the bill is about being 'firm' on immigration, specifically towards foreigners who commit crimes, while also acknowledging those who entered France without authorization and wish to regularize their status.
Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne has pushed against the conservative claim that the bill would incentivize more migration, stating that the provision is aimed at benefiting people already in the country who are well-integrated and have been living there for years.
Several non-governmental organizations, such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, have criticized the proposed legislation as threatening to migrants' rights, condemning its approached towards family separation, the watering down of asylum-seekers' rights, and inadequate protection for people living in exile.