A-Infos (en) France, Monde Libertaire - IDEAS AND STRUGGLES: On Immigration in France followed by The Papers of Undocumented Immigrants (ca, de, fr, it, pt, tr)[machine translation]

The Place of Immigrants ---- Patrick Weil is a recognized specialist on 
immigration in France, having served as chief of staff to the Secretary 
of State for Immigration, François Autain, from 1981 to 1982. His 
numerous works offer a reliable and objective overview, free from the 
hysterical debates surrounding the presence of immigrants in France. In 
his recent publication, *On Immigration in France*, he aims to debunk 
myths and misleading claims, beginning with the "great replacement" 
theory. ---- This is a book that should be in the hands of activists 
defending fundamental rights in our country. It is brimming with solid, 
data-driven, and legally sound arguments. What do we call immigrants? 
"All persons 'born abroad who live in France' are considered immigrants 
in France." And Patrick Weil distinguishes between an immigrant and a 
foreigner. Let us recall Camus's words: "To misname things is to add to 
the world's misfortunes. To not name them is to deny our humanity." And 
what about the battle of the numbers? There are projected to be 7.7 
million immigrants in 2024, with an increase of 133,000 people per 
year-far from being overwhelmed. This figure varies by region and 
remains lower than that of other countries like Germany. The author

dismantles demagoguery and racism

by outlining regulations regarding entry into the European Union, the 
Schengen Agreements, the controls in place, and the role of Frontex. 
Faced with recurring calls from the right and far right to withdraw from 
Schengen, he points out that between 50,000 and 100,000 police officers 
would be needed. He lucidly addresses the shortcomings of the French 
administration, starting with the handling of Orders to Leave French 
Territory (OQTF). Considerable time is wasted in prefectural services 
overwhelmed by the digital administration for foreigners in France 
(ANEF), in courts besieged by litigation, and there is constant anxiety 
for undocumented immigrants, sometimes confined in detention centers 
rather than holding facilities. We should recall the books by Marianne 
Leloup-Dassonville, *France, Terre d'écueils* (Rue de l'échiquier, 2025) 
and Louise Tassin, *Comme on les enferme* (La Découverte, 2026), 
discussed in these pages
and on the program *Au fil des pages* on Radio Libertaire. The U-turns 
and the heavy-handed simplifications, stemming in particular from 
Nicolas Sarkorzin's policies, are essentially aimed at unsettling 
immigrants and further excluding them. We are witnessing a rudderless 
immigration policy pursued by hypocritical political leaders regarding 
the place of immigrants in the workforce.

The rejection of apartheid

Patrick Weil is tasked with formulating proposals within a national and 
European institutional framework, while also taking into account 
international conventions, particularly those governing relations 
between France and Algeria. The reader may sometimes be skeptical of 
certain proposed solutions, but they allow for a debate free from 
aggression and rejection. Developing the historical dimension serves as 
a reminder that the "great replacement" theory was already denounced by 
Maurice Barrès, a somewhat worn refrain. Hervé Le Bras points out, on 
this subject, a form of apartheid: "the descendants of immigrants and 
their own descendants are still considered part of the newcomer 
population." Obviously, the religious question requires analysis, 
emphasizing that the vast majority of Muslims are perfectly integrated; 
"they are proof that the French republican model works.[...]This 
secularism, properly understood and put into practice, can
unite us all." The reader will find in the book the major milestones of 
this specifically French legislation. To live better together, it is 
fundamental to know our history, to distinguish between the national 
narrative and the national myth. There is an urgent need to integrate 
slavery and colonization into school curricula. I would add the 
contributions of immigration to the economy and simply the fact that we 
are all mixed-race individuals, products of our past, to borrow the 
title of a book by Lucien Febvre.

* Patrick Weil,
*On Immigration in France
*, Grasset, 2026

https://monde-libertaire.net/?articlen=9135
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