In a Le Monde op-ed, Pascal Brice, president of the Federation of Solidarity Actors, examines how France's immigration shifts over the past 40 years—from lone workers to families—align with declassement feelings that bolster the far right. He criticizes the normalization of xenophobic ideas and growing support for rights-eroding measures. These trends unfold in a French society plagued by economic, social, and identity doubts.
Over the past 40 years, immigration in France has shifted: lone immigrant workers have given way to families, mainly from African Muslim-majority countries. This increased visibility, along with growing diversity and mixing, clashes with economic and social fragility. Pascal Brice notes that declassement sentiments affect whole swaths of the workforce and regions, paving the way for the far right.
Far-right rhetoric on immigration is normalizing, no longer universally labeled xenophobic. A majority of voters appears to back drastic steps, such as limiting family allowances to French citizens, curbing family reunification, ending birthright citizenship, and scrapping state medical aid. Brice argues these would undermine dignity and equality, likely breaching the Constitution.
Mainstream parties respond with mimicry, denial, or stoking identity conflicts, as shown by the December 2023 immigration law. France, with 11.3% immigrants, faces no issue of sheer numbers—debunking the 'great replacement' myth—but rather an essentialist view justifying blanket cuts, inviting abuses.
Still, many French embrace welcoming immigrants as enriching or remain neutral. Yet, amid democratic and identity uncertainties, these changes feed political exploitations.
