French Parliament Moves to Restrict Birthright Citizenship in Mayotte
Legislation supported by The Republicans and the government faces opposition from the left, amid rising migration concerns.
The French Parliament is poised to pass legislation that will impose restrictions on birthright citizenship in Mayotte, an overseas department known for its high rates of immigration from the Comoros.
The Senate approved the bill on Thursday after final negotiations between deputies and senators, with expectations that it will clear its final hurdle in the National Assembly with ease, despite strong objections from left-wing parties claiming it does not address the issue of overpopulation linked to immigration.
Support from the far-right National Rally party, combined with the central bloc, is expected to secure a solid majority for the measure.
Renaud Labaye, the general secretary of the National Rally group, stated that while the party seeks a complete end to birthright citizenship in Mayotte, it will support this measure as it represents a partial restriction.
Currently, children born in Mayotte can obtain French nationality if at least one parent has resided legally in France for a minimum of three months at the time of birth.
The new legislation will tighten these criteria, requiring both parents to have resided legally in France for at least one year, though an exception is made for single-parent families.
This legislative measure was developed prior to the devastating impact of Cyclone Chido, which struck Mayotte on December 14, 2023, resulting in at least 40 fatalities and extensive damage to the island.
The cyclone has intensified existing challenges in the region, including poverty, inadequate housing, and a lack of educational and health facilities.
In response to these challenges, Parliament adopted an emergency reconstruction bill in February, estimating the cost of damage at approximately €3.5 billion, with a more comprehensive proposal aimed at 'rebuilding Mayotte' set to be discussed in the Senate on May 19.
The cyclone has also reignited debates around migration, with local leaders calling for increased measures to manage the influx.
Mayotte, a territory of just over 300 square kilometers, is home to about 320,000 residents, nearly half of whom are believed to be foreign nationals, according to INSEE estimates.
A 2016 survey indicated that around half of the foreign residents were in an irregular situation.
The Republicans have utilized their parliamentary 'niche', a designated day for their initiatives, to introduce this bill on February 6, 2023, with government backing.
Philippe Gosselin, the bill's rapporteur, stated that the current birthright citizenship provisions act as a magnet for irregular migration.
This assertion has been dismissed by left-wing opponents, who view the legislation as a concession to the far-right and a fundamental attack on French identity.
Aurélien Taché, a deputy from La France Insoumise, criticized the bill, arguing it fails to solve the island's overpopulation issues and does not address the needs of those migrating for survival and healthcare access.
If enacted, leftist lawmakers have indicated plans to challenge the legislation in the Constitutional Council, arguing it disproportionately infringes upon the principle of equality before the law.
Taché described the measure as a 'Trojan horse' aimed at reigniting the national debate on birthright citizenship.
Following the bill's initial passage in the Assembly, Minister of Justice Gérald Darmanin expressed support for a broader discussion on citizenship, a sentiment that met with mixed reactions from the government.
Education Minister Élisabeth Borne raised concerns, and François Bayrou has called for a wider debate on the question of what it means to be French, having entrusted this conversation to the Economic, Social and Environmental Council (CESE) on April 1.
The Senate approved the bill on Thursday after final negotiations between deputies and senators, with expectations that it will clear its final hurdle in the National Assembly with ease, despite strong objections from left-wing parties claiming it does not address the issue of overpopulation linked to immigration.
Support from the far-right National Rally party, combined with the central bloc, is expected to secure a solid majority for the measure.
Renaud Labaye, the general secretary of the National Rally group, stated that while the party seeks a complete end to birthright citizenship in Mayotte, it will support this measure as it represents a partial restriction.
Currently, children born in Mayotte can obtain French nationality if at least one parent has resided legally in France for a minimum of three months at the time of birth.
The new legislation will tighten these criteria, requiring both parents to have resided legally in France for at least one year, though an exception is made for single-parent families.
This legislative measure was developed prior to the devastating impact of Cyclone Chido, which struck Mayotte on December 14, 2023, resulting in at least 40 fatalities and extensive damage to the island.
The cyclone has intensified existing challenges in the region, including poverty, inadequate housing, and a lack of educational and health facilities.
In response to these challenges, Parliament adopted an emergency reconstruction bill in February, estimating the cost of damage at approximately €3.5 billion, with a more comprehensive proposal aimed at 'rebuilding Mayotte' set to be discussed in the Senate on May 19.
The cyclone has also reignited debates around migration, with local leaders calling for increased measures to manage the influx.
Mayotte, a territory of just over 300 square kilometers, is home to about 320,000 residents, nearly half of whom are believed to be foreign nationals, according to INSEE estimates.
A 2016 survey indicated that around half of the foreign residents were in an irregular situation.
The Republicans have utilized their parliamentary 'niche', a designated day for their initiatives, to introduce this bill on February 6, 2023, with government backing.
Philippe Gosselin, the bill's rapporteur, stated that the current birthright citizenship provisions act as a magnet for irregular migration.
This assertion has been dismissed by left-wing opponents, who view the legislation as a concession to the far-right and a fundamental attack on French identity.
Aurélien Taché, a deputy from La France Insoumise, criticized the bill, arguing it fails to solve the island's overpopulation issues and does not address the needs of those migrating for survival and healthcare access.
If enacted, leftist lawmakers have indicated plans to challenge the legislation in the Constitutional Council, arguing it disproportionately infringes upon the principle of equality before the law.
Taché described the measure as a 'Trojan horse' aimed at reigniting the national debate on birthright citizenship.
Following the bill's initial passage in the Assembly, Minister of Justice Gérald Darmanin expressed support for a broader discussion on citizenship, a sentiment that met with mixed reactions from the government.
Education Minister Élisabeth Borne raised concerns, and François Bayrou has called for a wider debate on the question of what it means to be French, having entrusted this conversation to the Economic, Social and Environmental Council (CESE) on April 1.
