The French Senate has passed a draft law aimed at banning marriages for undocumented immigrants, marking a significant step in the country’s efforts to tackle irregular migration.
Supporters of the bill view it as part of a broader set of legislative changes designed to reduce illegal immigration, although critics argue that the law, in its current form, is unconstitutional.
The bill was approved during its first reading in the Senate with a notable level of participation, receiving 227 votes in favor and 110 against, out of 348 senators. Next, the bill will move to the National Assembly, the lower house of parliament, where it could still be amended before becoming law.
Immigration remains a key political issue in France following last summer’s elections, which resulted in a hung parliament and a notable shift to the right. Even more moderate parties are under pressure to address immigration to prevent further rightward political shifts.
The bill’s supporters argue that it seeks to prevent fraudulent marriages between foreigners and French nationals, which have been used as a loophole to obtain residency and, eventually, citizenship. While there are no precise statistics on fraudulent marriages, reports suggest that around 400 cases were detected annually in 2020, 2021, and 2022. In 2019, over 550 cases were identified. This is a small number compared to the 247,000 marriages that take place in France each year, making fraudulent marriages a rare occurrence at a rate of about 1 in 620.
Despite this, authorities aim to close this avenue for regularizing status, with reports indicating that French nationals entering fake marriages are offered sums of up to 10,000 euros.
However, the bill’s critics argue that it violates constitutional and human rights protections. A 2003 ruling by the French Constitutional Council states that undocumented foreigners in France must be allowed to marry, and the European Convention on Human Rights guarantees the right to marry for all men and women of marriageable age.
