A new document presented by Bruno Retailleau, the Minister of the Interior, reflects a stricter government stance on immigration.
Unlike the 2012 circular, which allowed for the annual legalization of over 30,000 illegal migrants, the new approach requires more stringent conditions to obtain a residence permit, including a minimum of 7 years of residence in the country and evidence of integration, such as knowledge of the French language.
The circular also clarifies that legalization based on family and student grounds will be limited, while the number of work migrants who can be legalized will remain at last year’s level. The overall number of regularizations is expected to decrease by a third, reflecting the drive for stronger migration control and a response to public opinion supporting a tougher policy on illegal migrants.
