Immigration Issues in France

The U.S. is not the only country experiencing immigration problems.  It is hard to say if France really has a problem, or President Sarkozy is making immigration look more problematic than it is.

----

France24

Parliament to begin controversial immigration bill debate

A debate begins on Tuesday in France's lower house of parliament, the National Assembly, on a bill proposed by French Immigration Minister Eric Besson (photo) that would strengthen the government’s hand against immigrant and travelling communities.

• Roma groups threaten to take France to EU court over forced deportations
• Gypsy leader compares Sarkozy to Romania's pro-Nazi wartime leader
• Sarkozy promises law to strip citizenship from cop killers  

Sarkozy Begins Deporting Roma (Gypsies)

France 24 
 Deportation flights continue as Roma pledge to return - 
AP - France has expelled nearly 100 Gypsies, or Roma, to their native Romania as part of a very public effort by conservative President Nicolas Sarkozy to dismantle Roma camps and sweep them out of the country, the Immigration Ministry said..


Sarkozy's Immigration Could Backfire - Analyists Say  
The French government is pursuing inflammatory security policies, particularly regarding immigration, which some analysts think could be self-defeating come election time...        

France Moves to the Right

Government moves to further tighten immigration laws

France24

French Immigration Minister Eric Besson (pictured) has unveiled a bill to toughen immigration rules and penalties against those employing foreigners without work permits. It is the sixth time since 2002 that France has tried to tighten such laws.
By News Wires (text)

AFP - The French government unveiled a bill on Wednesday to toughen immigration rules and impose strict penalties on anyone employing foreigners without work permits, raising howls of protest from human rights groups.

It is the sixth time since 2002 that France has looked to tighten its immigration laws and comes after President Nicolas Sarkozy launched a debate on national identity that critics say pandered to far-right extremists.

Immigration Minister Eric Besson, who has recently backed calls for a French ban on the full-face Muslim veil, or burqa, presented the bill to the cabinet on Wednesday.

Amongst the measures was a move to increase the time illegal immigrants can be held in detention to 45 days from 32, after which the authorities have to make a decision on whether to expel them or further investigate their request for asylum...link to complete article