Immigration a crucial political issue on both sides of Atlantic

The French parliament last month passed a more stringent immigration law, with the debate framing the issue as a political battleground and revealing deep divisions. Initially promised by President Emmanuel Macron in 2022, the law faced challenges from within his own camp as well as opposition from the right. The bill’s journey was turbulent, facing rejection in the National Assembly earlier in December. Yet, in a rare move, Macron sought a quick resolution before Christmas. Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne engaged in intense negotiations with the conservative parties, risking her position to secure a compromise.
The final law, adopted on Dec. 19, was a compromise with the right-wing parties compared to the government’s initial proposal. The compromise included measures on residency requirements for social benefits, migration quotas, nationality revocation, birthright citizenship changes and the reintroduction of the offense of illegal stay. The law also addressed family reunification, student guarantees and state medical aid.
The political fallout was significant, exposing fractures within Macron’s majority, with dozens of deputies defecting. Ministers announced their resignations and Macron’s constitutional workaround led to a second parliamentary deliberation. The law’s adoption stirred controversy, with Marine Le Pen claiming an ideological victory for the far right and leftist movements denouncing it as the most regressive legislation in decades.
The law’s constitutionality faces scrutiny from the Constitutional Council, adding uncertainty to its future. The political divisions and compromises made during the process reflect the challenges of navigating immigration policy in a polarized political landscape. It was also revealing of the change in Europe in the face of an influx that no longer assimilates or integrates into societies. It is part of the historic debate of assimilation versus integration.
The US has also been facing challenges on the same topic, especially illegal crossings into the country. In 2023, a record of more than 460,000 migrants crossed the Darien Gap en route to the US, according to Doctors Without Borders.
Mexico announced last week that it had reached “important” agreements with the US after closed-door talks led by Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The discussions focused on addressing the record-high migration from Mexico — a significant issue in the upcoming US elections. President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador pledged to help alleviate the migratory pressures and urged American lawmakers to invest in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The US delegation included Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, emphasizing the need for regional solutions to the migration challenge. Thousands of migrants and asylum seekers continue to move northward, with concerns mounting about returning them to their home countries due to various issues, including poverty and conflict.

When analyzing the migration challenges faced by both France and the US, striking parallels emerge.

Khaled Abou Zahr

When analyzing the migration challenges faced by both France and the US, striking parallels emerge. Both nations grapple with political divisions. The centrality of immigration in electoral campaigns, coupled with considerations of this issue’s impact on the economy and border security, reveals shared concerns on both sides of the Atlantic. While addressing humanitarian considerations and asylum issues, it becomes evident that these challenges persist. There is also the need to ensure accountability for the criminal organizations overseeing this trafficking, holding them responsible for the perilous and hazardous conditions imposed on migrants.
However, this issue does not only concern France and the US. It is a persistent debate in all of Europe. In the UK, it was revealed that even the opposition Labour Party is looking into ways of processing asylum seekers’ claims outside of Britain. This comes amid efforts to reduce the number of small boats crossing the English Channel and as Labour gets ready for a general election in 2024. Despite the declaration of leader Keir Starmer that he will not maintain Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s proposal to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda, this shows that the issue is real.
Countries like Italy, Spain and Greece, which have Mediterranean shores, have also been affected. And Nordic countries are overseeing a shift from their welcoming policies of the past decade. In short, it has become a national security issue and an electoral one at the same time.
In addressing the complex issue of migration, a delicate balance between solidarity, humanity and the preservation of state institutions is paramount. While advocating for compassion and empathy in the treatment of migrants, it is essential to acknowledge that flawed policies from the left have contributed to the current challenges, necessitating a reevaluation of how to move forward. Indeed, one could be even more cynical and say that, by hiding behind humanitarian principles, the left has in reality nurtured a dedicated pool of people who will vote for them in elections. However, it seems that the final straw has been reached.
Dealing with legal and illegal migration demands a cohesive and pragmatic policy framework to be adopted — and this is what the new French law aims to achieve. It seeks to ensure both the well-being of migrants and the stability of the host nation. It is imperative to recognize the legitimate right of Western countries to protect their identities and values, ensuring that assimilation aligns with established norms. Simultaneously, migrants should embrace these values and abide by the rules, while remembering why they left their home country.
But this is only one side of the coin. There is also a need for an adapted and comprehensive foreign policy approach. This is crucial. There is a need to focus on building prosperity in migrants’ countries of origin, just as Obrador pleaded with the US delegation. By addressing these root causes and fostering real economic development, nations can create the conditions that will mitigate the pressures caused by migration.

• Khaled Abou Zahr is the founder of SpaceQuest Ventures, a space-focused investment platform. He is chief executive of EurabiaMedia and editor of Al-Watan Al-Arabi.