Editorial by Yves Thréard: "On immigration, France is a stowaway on Europe"

The European Union is offering its member states robust tools to combat illegal immigration, and most nations are actively employing them. However, France appears to be an exception, remaining largely inactive due to internal political divisions. The country struggles to implement these new measures, executing a mere 10% of its outstanding deportation orders (OQTFs).

While the EU often faces criticism for its regulations, the article argues that in this instance, the Union serves as a convenient alibi for France's domestic shortcomings. The author contends that Brussels and the Schengen agreements have long been used as scapegoats for the immigration crisis, but the EU has now provided concrete means for change.

France has a limited window to transpose the migration and asylum pact, adopted by the 27 member states in 2024, into its national legislation. This pact notably includes provisions for establishing centers outside the EU to process illegal migrants before returning them to their home countries.

The editorial criticizes France's paralysis, suggesting it stems from an inability to reform its own policies rather than solely from EU directives. The piece implies that France is a "stowaway" on Europe's efforts, benefiting from the collective action without contributing its full share, thereby hindering effective immigration control.