Illegal migrants caught with fake ID to face jail in France

FRANCE could reportedly jail illegal immigrants caught using fake identity papers for up to five years – and those entering the country without using a recognised border crossing could get one year – under proposed new laws.

An immigration and asylum bill, which has led to opposition from rights groups, opposition parties and even members of President Emmanuel Macron’s own party, was due to be presented to the cabinet today.

The centrist president, who came to power last year after seeing off Marine Le Pen, the anti-immigrant Front National leader, is under pressure to toughen his policy in a country where 63 per cent of people told a recent opinion poll that there were too many immigrants. The bill has not yet been made public, but Le Monde newspaper says that its Article 16 calls for illegal immigrants using fake or someone else’s identity papers “to stay in the country and for most of the time to work there” to face up to five years in jail and €75,000 (£66,000) in fines.

Tens of thousands of illegal immigrants work in restaurants, factories and building sites across France. If caught by authorities, few go to court.

Article 16 is just one of many likely to be hotly disputed. Another is the plan to make entering the country without using a recognised border crossing point an offence carrying a maximum one-year prison sentence and a fine of €3,750 (£3,300).

The law will be presented to cabinet ahead of parliamentary debates.