NEWS DESK: France is racing to update its national laws ahead of the June 12 deadline for the European Union’s new Pact on Migration and Asylum. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez recently admitted that the government is falling behind schedule as pressure grows to align French immigration laws with the new EU framework.
The pact includes nine separate regulations designed to standardize how EU member states manage asylum applications, border screening, and deportation procedures. Since EU law takes priority over national legislation, France must revise parts of its Code on Foreigners to comply with the new system.
According to Minister Nunez, nearly 40 percent of France’s current asylum laws could conflict with EU standards if reforms are not completed in time.
The French government currently does not hold a stable majority in the National Assembly, making the legislative process more difficult. To avoid delays, officials are considering the use of executive decrees, which would allow the government to enforce the new measures without a full parliamentary vote. However, a national debate on the issue is expected later this month.
Under the new system, initial screening procedures will mainly take place at French airports. Asylum seekers will undergo identity, health, and security checks through the Eurodac database before local authorities formally register their asylum applications.
One of the most significant changes is the introduction of a faster border review process for certain applicants. This includes individuals accused of providing false information or those arriving from countries with low refugee approval rates. These border assessments are expected to be completed within 12 weeks.
If an application is rejected during the border procedure, the individual may be denied entry into the European Union. In some cases, deportation procedures could continue even while legal appeals remain pending.
The French government is also preparing additional accommodation facilities, including 615 housing spaces, for individuals undergoing these border procedures.
