France will reduce the number of visas issued to the Maghreb countries of Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia as their governments refused to take back illegal migrants sent home by French authorities. French government spokesperson Gabriel Attal announced the decision in an interview with Europe 1 radio on Tuesday, leading to a backlash from the North African countries.
Attal said the drop in visas issued to Algerians, Moroccans, and Tunisians is in response to the “obstructions of the authorities of these countries in the deportation procedures.” Despite being a “drastic decision [and] unprecedented decision,” Attal noted that it was “made necessary by the fact that these countries do not accept to take back nationals that we do not want and cannot keep in France.”
“There was dialogue, then there were threats, and today we’re carrying out those threats,” Attal said, adding that “the response [from the North African countries] will be more cooperation with France so that we can apply our immigration rules.”
Moreover, Europe 1 reported that French President Emmanuel Macron decided to reduce visas a month ago after Paris’ diplomatic efforts with Algeria, Rabat, and Tunis failed. Macron ordered visas to Algerians and Moroccans to be halved from 2020 levels and by a third for Morocco. The news outlet mentioned that French courts rejected 7,731 Algerian visas since January 2021, but France could only send back 22 Algerians as consular passes were not granted by Algeria. France has also accused Morocco and Tunisia of not giving consular passes to the migrants who were expelled.
Meanwhile, the announcement was criticised by Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, who called it “unjustified.” While saying it was France’s “sovereign” decision, Bourita said the reasons used to justify the move “do not reflect reality.” Bourita added, “Morocco has always managed the migration issue and the flow of people, with a logic of responsibility and balance between facilitating the movement of people [...] and the fight against illegal migration.”
The latest development also comes when right-wing French parties have increased pressure on Macron’s government to stem the tide of illegal immigration into France and take stricter measures. “For a long, long, long, long time, I have been asking that steps be taken to oblige certain countries to respect international law,” Marine Le Pen, leader of France’s right-wing National Rally party, said. “I am pleased that the president of the republic heard me. I find it’s a bit late,” she added.
Immigration reform has been a controversial topic in France, and the debate has intensified ahead of next year’s presidential election. Both Macron and Le Pen, two primary candidates for the 2022 election, would like to be seen taking harsh measures against illegal immigration while gearing up for the vote.