Immigration is an inflammatory issue in France – literally. The 2005 Paris riots, which were ostensibly sparked by police and administrative discrimination against non-white immigrants, resulted in the burning of some 10,000 cars as well as dozens of factories, schools, sports centres and religious buildings. The government has recently introduced new laws to curb non-EU immigration and is cracking down on illegal immigrants, who can be forcibly repatriated, although a controversial plan to send immigrant children ‘home’ was quickly abandoned. This makes it more difficult for non-EU citizens to enter the country, while most EU nationals barely need to wave their passport at immigration officials as they cross the border. Continue reading “Understanding French immigration”
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