Coronavirus: MEPs call for regularization of undocumented migrants

Regularize undocumented migrants to better protect themselves. This is what is asked by twenty deputies to better fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. The proposal was formulated by the former member of La République en Marche (LREM) François-Michel Lambert, deputy for Bouches-du-Rhône, who federated around him deputies from the left wing of the majority, as well as socialist, communist and rebellious elected officials.

These deputies, including the boss of the Socialist Party Olivier Faure, that of the Communist Party Fabien Roussel, or even the former Minister of Sports Marie-George Buffet, are inspired by the initiative of the Portuguese government, which promulgated on 28 March provisional regularization of all immigrants who have applied for a residence permit.

Allowing access to healthcare and financial aid to undocumented migrants is "a measure of public health", said MEPs in a press release. "We have already alerted the government several times to the dramatic situation of undocumented migrants and the homeless. The seriousness of the health crisis makes it even more crucial to take into account this problem which has only lasted too long", continue -they.

🚨🗣 Regularize undocumented migrants to better protect themselves from the epidemic 👉🏻 This is an essential measure, both humanitarian and health: it allows access to care that protects them but also protects us all by further limiting the propagation of # COVID19 pic.twitter.com/LJgvYg1DEg

François-Michel Lambert estimates that there are "approximately 100,000 to 200,000 people in this situation", in an interview given to France Bleu Provence. "As long as these people can move around and cannot access healthcare, the confinement cannot be lifted," he added.

"Showing solidarity must not be of variable geometry"

If he is not among the signatories behind this call, LREM MP Aurélien Taché regretted on Twitter that France is currently taking the opposite route from Portugal.

"While Portugal is regularizing its undocumented migrants, France closes its check-in desks for asylum seekers. Faced with the Covid-19 crisis, showing solidarity must not be of variable geometry," he said. he writes on the social network.

While Portugal regularizes its #SansPapiers, France closes its registration counters for asylum seekers. Faced with the # COVID19 crisis, showing solidarity must not be of variable geometry. @FedeSolidarite https://t.co/Sk6fGySRbU

For the president of the Federation of Solidarity Actors, Louis Gallois, "the closing of the asylum application registration counters poses a real problem". "The right of asylum is a constitutional right enshrined in the most official texts of the Republic. I don't see why this royal service stops. We leave people in a catastrophic situation and the 115 cannot replace the registration of asylum seekers, "he said in an interview with Le Monde.

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