According to an advisor to Emmanuel Macron, "the acceptability rate of immigration in our country is lower and lower".

The president therefore wants his government to tackle the issue of illegal immigration.

For this, he brought together several ministers on Wednesday to demand better efficiency in the expulsions of illegal aliens.

This meeting took place in the presence of Prime Minister Jean Castex and ministers Gérald Darmanin (Interior), Jean-Yves Le Drian (Foreign Affairs) and a representative of the Minister of Justice Eric Dupond-Moretti.

The Head of State asked them "to proactively activate the mechanisms in force" and to intensify negotiations with the countries of origin.

Target in particular illegal immigrants

Out of approximately 120,000 asylum seekers per year, 20,000 obtain refugee status, 20,000 return and 80,000 remain illegally in the country. At the end of 2020, the European Commissioner for Home Affairs estimated that the average execution rate of an expulsion decision is 30% in Europe but falls to "13, 14% for France", while the Elysee is moving forward the figure of 15.3%. The Head of State, who at the start of his five-year term mentioned the objective of an execution rate of 100%, on Wednesday asked for "operational very quickly" measures. His government must therefore target as a priority the expulsion of illegal foreigners who have committed acts of terrorism or who have been registered for radicalization, as well as those who have committed crimes and misdemeanors. The goal is to take them directly to the airport as soon as they get out of prison.

Out of 1,115 foreigners in an irregular situation and registered for radicalization, 514 are still on the territory, often because they are imprisoned, of which 400 are under surveillance.

About 250 foreigners in this category could be expelled in the coming weeks, according to the Elysee.

Irregular foreigners who have committed crimes and offenses will also be subject to systematic expulsions.

“These are mainly people from the Maghreb - Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia - but also from Russia and Africa”.

France intends to urge these countries to grant more consular passes that allow returns.

She also wants to ensure that the now required PCR test is carried out not on departure from France but on arrival.

"More difficult" discussions with Algeria

Emmanuel Macron also "asked that diplomatic negotiations be initiated in a very proactive manner.

With Algeria, with whom discussions are more difficult, we are considering more drastic measures and our requests will be brought to their attention very quickly, ”warned the French presidency without further details.

Without modifying the right of asylum, a reflection is also initiated on the countries considered to be safe.

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  • Illegal immigration

  • Society

  • Emmanuel Macron

  • Immigration

  • Illegal immigrants