French migration policy is at a crossroads. In the face of an emerging global labour market for highly qualified persons and of labour shortages in certain economic sectors, France must aim for a greater diversification of its migration flows, with respect to entry categories, regions of origin and type of migration, at the same time as it continues to combat irregular migration and the illegal employment of foreign nationals. This will require getting the right mix of selected and non-selected migrants, of temporary and permanent migrants, of high-skilled and low-skilled, and more generally of openness and control. To succeed, France must co-operate actively and effectively with both its European partners and countries of origin. But if France is to remain a land of welcome, it must also necessarily better integrate immigrants and their offspring. |