FRANCENational Identity &

Immigration

Definitions

Immigration not just sensitive political issue

opportunity to examine social ties, national integration and citizenship

Foreigner? Immigrant?

France: country of immigration

From early history, waves of settlers: Celts, Romans, Germanic tribes, Vikings,

FRANCE country of political asylum: movement of populations following European wars…

Economic need for workers after WWII who escape misery in Italy and Poland, Russia...

National origins of Immigrants

Europe(socio-economic and political refugees from Italy, Spain, Russia, Greece political, Eastern European countries Poland, Roumania, former Yougoslavia)

Former colonies: North Africa and sub-Saharan Africa and former Indochina (Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia…)

Chile Asia

Immigrants

Usually ADULT MALE single workers

family reunion: arrival of families and issues of integration

Integration: political framework

-German or “ethnic” model: nationality linked to descent (right of blood line)

French or “political” model: derived from republican principles. Aim is to assimilate/integrate Nationality=citizenship=right of soil

British/US model: recognition of minorities with issues of ghettoisation/ segregation

Policies

Constitutionally (republican principles) France does not discriminate either negatively or positively on account of race/nationality

FAS (social action fund for immigrant workers and families)

--1958

Naturalization=citizenship Marriage to a French national (for 1

year) granting of nationality to people

who have reached their majority (18 years) and have lived in France for at least five years

acquisition by Right of soil in the case of 18-year-old children of

foreigners born in France, and resident there for at least five years between the ages of 11 and 18 (under Article44).

Integration problems The causes

Socio-economic= schooling housing/unemployment(lack of education and qualifications, language issues, few financial resources, social problems..)

Concentration in large urban centers, HLM suburban housing (Paris, Lyon, Lille, Marseilles, Toulouse...)

Also: mutual cultural perceptions.

Xenophobia is often linked to periods of economic depression

Discrimination for jobs Racism linked to colonial past and

Islam (fuelled by customs clashing with secular & gender equality principles of French civilization).

=sensitive arguments used for political ends (the National Front/Le Pen)

Prospects for the integration of immigrants in France

Integration paths of European and non-European immigrants are diverging•Integration of E. U citizens is of a different nature

• Fighting exclusion and marginalization of non-E.U citizens

Integration =EU member states matter

Treaties: SCHENGEN AGREEMENTS (1985-

1990) AMSTERDAM TREATY(1997) -measures for regulating entry and

residence, short and long term.--illegal immigration and residence -

>Big problem today!