During the declaration of general policy by Michel Barnier on October 1st at the National Assembly, Minister of the Interior Bruno Retailleau expressed his desire to extend the duration of administrative detention for illegal migrants to up to two hundred and ten days. Currently set at ninety days with the Collomb law of 2018 and two hundred and ten days for terrorism cases, Retailleau proposed to increase it to one hundred and eighty days, or even two hundred and ten days for the most serious crimes committed by illegal migrants. He emphasized the need to change the law when it no longer provides sufficient protection.
Retailleau stated that this extension of detention duration would require the passing of a law, and each individual would have to take responsibility in front of the people. He also mentioned his intention to request prefects to systematically appeal the release of migrants from detention centers, even if the appeal is not suspensive. This comes in response to the murder of a young student, Philippine, whose suspect, previously convicted of rape and under a deportation order, was released and placed in a detention center before the crime.
In addition to proposing an extension of detention periods, Retailleau also plans to link the visa policy to the issuance of consular laissez-passers essential for deporting foreigners back to their home countries. He criticized the lack of cooperation from countries like Morocco and Algeria, where a significant number of visas were issued by France, but only a small number of laissez-passers were accepted for the return of their nationals. Retailleau also targeted associations providing legal and social aid to detainees, suggesting that this responsibility should be transferred to the French Office for Immigration and Integration rather than being handled by associations that he perceives as biased.
The proposed changes in immigration policy come at a time of heightened public concern following the murder of Philippine and reveal a shift towards stricter measures in handling illegal migrants. Retailleau’s focus on increasing detention durations for criminals and implementing stricter visa policies reflects his stance on the need for a more robust and efficient immigration system that prioritizes national security and public safety. The controversy surrounding these proposals underscores the ongoing debate on immigration policies and the balance between humanitarian considerations and national interests in France. By emphasizing the need for change and tougher measures, Retailleau’s statements signal a shift towards a more assertive approach to immigration control in the country.
