bringing families
The French parliament has approved a law restricting Nigerian students and others from bringing their families to the country.
This law received support from President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist Renaissance party and Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally after a revised version, which made certain provisions stricter, gained approval.
The updated immigration policy toughens regulations on family reunification, delays access to welfare benefits for migrants, and prohibits detaining minors in detention centers.
However, leaders from a third of French regions have expressed their refusal to comply with certain measures outlined in the law.
Notably, a controversial aspect of the law differentiates between citizens and migrants, including those residing legally in France, regarding eligibility for benefits.
The revised, stricter version of the law garnered support from right-wing parties, leading to its recent approval.
Ms Le Pen welcomed the amended bill, calling it an “ideological victory” for the far-right.
“This is our bill,” said Eric Ciotti, the leader of the right-wing Republican party. He called it “firm and courageous”.
But left-wingers said Mr Macron was enabling the far-right. “History will remember those who betrayed their convictions,” Socialist party leader Olivier Faure said.
