France is introducing a new migration policy

French government unveils 20 new measures on migration

 On November 6th, French Prime Minister Édouard Philippe presented to Parliament 20 new measures for more robust France’s migration policy. These new measures were unveiled a month after the first annual debate on immigration, which was held in the National Assembly (lower house) and the Senate, including working seminars and meetings.

 Among the new measures, France plans to “set quantitative goals or quotas” for migrant workers. Quotas will be based on a list of professions that employers can’t fill with a French person. Besides, healthcare will be limited and more rigorously controlled. Adult asylum seekers will have to wait three months before can access the basic health cover, PUMa (protection universelle maladie).  Besides, the migrant camps on the northern edge of Paris would be cleared out before the end of 2019. 

 On November 6th, French police already removed over 1,600 people from two makeshift camps near the Porte de la Chapelle in Paris. Most of these people, including families with children, are from Afghanistan and sub-Saharan Africa.

 On the other hand, France will not close the doors to all foreigners. They plan to double the number of international students in France by 2027. This turn to the right on the migrant policy of Macron centrist government is seen as a gesture to Le Pen’s far-right National Rally voters. Next France’s presidential elections will be held in 2022.