France to Introduce New Immigration Law in 2025

France has announced plans to introduce a new immigration bill in early 2025, less than a year after the previous law was enacted in January 2024.

The announcement comes in response to increasing public pressure and growing debates surrounding immigration policy, particularly following a tragic incident in Paris.

French government spokesperson, Mode Brigeon, stated on Sunday that the new immigration law is necessary to "adapt several provisions" and ensure better management of immigration issues.

The draft of the law is expected to be presented to the French Parliament at the beginning of 2025.

The decision to overhaul the immigration law follows heightened discussions on the matter, especially after the killing of a young woman in Paris by an illegal immigrant who had been subject to a deportation order.

The police had delayed implementing the expulsion, reigniting debates about the enforcement of deportation orders for illegal migrants.

France ranks among the top European countries in terms of expulsion orders (OQTF - "Obligation to Leave French Territory"), with over 134,000 orders issued in 2022, according to the Court of Auditors.

However, the rate of enforcement is one of the lowest in Europe, with fewer than 7% of orders being carried out, compared to about 30% in other European countries.

French Prime Minister Michel Barnier, in his speech before the National Assembly (the French Parliament), emphasized the government’s commitment to improving the implementation of deportation orders. He acknowledged the need to move away from the ideological stalemate surrounding immigration and focus on deporting criminals.

Barnier, however, did not provide specific details on how the government plans to pressure local authorities to prioritize deporting convicted criminals over other migrants.