The French government is set to unveil a tough new immigration bill Wednesday that is proving one of the most divisive of Emmanuel Macron’s young presidency.
The legislation, which criminalises illegal border crossings and aims for quicker deportation of those deemed economic migrants, has sparked widespread anger from NGOs who have branded it repressive.
The government says the law balances “efficiency” with “humanity”, offering faster asylum to refugees found to have fled conflict or repression.
But it has opened divisions in the left-right coalition that newcomer Macron set up when he came to power in May, with even some members of his Republic On The Move (LREM) party breaking ranks to criticise it.