| Author (Person) | Negrier-Pascaud, Mathilde |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Cardiff EDC |
| Series Details | April 2018 |
| Publication Date | 23/04/2018 |
| Content Type | News |
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Further information: The French National Assembly has passed a new immigration law that tightens the rules around asylum. The bill was passed by 228 votes to 139, with 24 abstentions after more than 60 hours of debate over the weekend and hundreds of amendments. Macron's party introduced the bill in February as part of a wider presidential campaign effort to wrestle support away from defeated far-right and anti-immigrant candidate, Marine Le Pen. The main aim of the law is to cut the length of asylum applications and make the deportation system more efficient for those rejected. One of the most significant changes is that failed asylum seekers awaiting deportation can be held for up to 90 days, double the existing period of 45 days. The government had initially aimed for a 135-day period. Claimants will have 90 days to file an application, down from 120 days, and two weeks to appeal against rejection. The bill also introduces a one-year prison sentence for entering France illegally. The move comes amid a greater push at the EU level to ensure that people denied the right to asylum are sent home, given that only around 36 percent actually leave. The bill also plans to ease bureaucracy by halving the time to six months it takes to process asylum requests. Refugees given asylum will be given greater help with integration and learning French. The measure would also facilitate family reunification of accepted asylum seekers. The bill opened divisions within Macron's La République en March party, with one party deputy resigning in protest after casting a "no" vote and 14 others abstaining. The bill will be debated in the Senate in June 2018. |
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| Subject Categories | Justice and Home Affairs |
| Countries / Regions | France |
