admin In a significant development, the Constitutional Council of France has deemed certain provisions of the proposed immigration law, targeting international students, as unconstitutional. The controversial measures included imposing a deposit requirement for student visa applications and escalating tuition fees for non-EU students. Additionally, the law mandated international students to annually prove enrollment in a “real and serious” study program, raising concerns among stakeholders about the potential negative impact on France’s international competitiveness.
Emphasis Shifts to Talent Passport as France Highlights Value of International Students
While the scrapped measures caused relief among the international student community, the French government is set to maintain and simplify the ‘Talent Passport’ scheme. This initiative allows foreign graduates with master’s degrees from French institutions, international doctoral students, and entrepreneurs to access a multi-year residence permit. Sylvie Retailleau, Minister of Higher Education and Research, emphasised the importance of international students, stating that they are an opportunity for France. International students currently contribute €5 billion to the French economy annually, with over 402,833 choosing French higher education institutions in the 2022/23 academic year.
However, the removal of these restrictive measures prompted mixed reactions. While some celebrated the Constitutional Council’s decision, others, including the student representative association La FAGE, expressed concern about broader immigration attitudes in France. La FAGE highlighted the persistent issue of systemic racism faced by international students, arguing that the removal of a few measures does not address the fundamental problems.
New Frontiers
The concluded iteration of the immigration reforms, endorsed by the Constitutional Council, maintains government-sought elements, which encompass streamlining the processes for expelling individuals classified as “delinquent foreigners.” Nonetheless, certain elements, such as the introduction of migration quotas, were rejected. This has led some far-right politicians, including Jordan Bardella, president of the National Front, to call for a “referendum on immigration.”
Amidst these unfolding events, President Emmanuel Macron, in the course of his state visit to India, underscored his dedication to hosting 30,000 Indian students by 2030. Macron not only reiterated his resolve to achieve this substantial objective but also introduced an innovative strategy for global education during talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This initiative aims to boost the inclusion of Indian students into the higher education system of France by providing specialised French language courses, set to commence in September 2024.
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