Emmanuel Macron unveils plans to crack down on immigration

Tough proposals to crack down on immigration and asylum in France have been unveiled by Emmanuel Macron’s government amid complaints from human rights groups and street protests by some public agents in charge of asylum procedures.

The legislation is aimed at speeding up the process for asylum requests and for expelling migrants who aren unable to claim asylum. It would also double to 90 days the time a person without papers can be kept in a holding centre.

The bill, which criminalises illegal border crossing, has sparked anger from charities who called it oppressive.

The plan, to be debated in parliament in April, will reduce the consideration period for an application for asylum to a maximum of six months, down from about a year including appeal. Human rights activists say this will make it more difficult for asylum seekers to defend their rights.

The interior minister, Gérard Collomb, insisted the plan was balanced and in line with European procedures.

The bill is proving to be one of the most divisive of Macron’s presidency. His centrist parliamentary majority is made up of MPs with roots in both the left and right. Until now they have been firmly united but cracks have shown over immigration. Some on the left of Macron’s party have expressed concern.

Workers at France’s refugee protection office, Ofpra, went on strike to protest against the bill, branding it “an unequivocal departure from France’s tradition of asylum”. There were concerns it was being pushed through too fast with an eye on public opinion.

Polls have consistently shown a majority of French people believe there are too many migrants in France.

While campaigning to be president, the pro-business Macron won over the left with promises of a more humane asylum policy. He paid homage to Angela Merkel, saying she saved Europe’s “collective dignity” by opening Germany’s doors to refugees in 2015. In power, Macron’s slogan on immigration has shifted to “Humane and firm.”

A set of interior ministry orders in December sparked criticism after regional authorities were instructed to set up “mobile teams” to run immigration checks in homeless centres to ascertain the status of migrants.

More than 100,000 people applied for asylum in France last year, up 17% from the year before. About 36% of applicants were granted refugee status.