French lawmakers propose mass regularization for undocumented workers

A group of nearly 70 French parliamentarians has submitted a bill to the National Assembly seeking large-scale regularization for undocumented workers. The proposal draws inspiration from the Spanish model, which previously regularized 600,000 migrants in 2005. Proponents argue that such measures do not trigger increased migration but instead provide economic benefits, including higher declared employment, reduced undeclared labor, and a net fiscal gain of approximately 4,000 euros per regularized individual.

The lawmakers criticize current French migration policies, specifically citing the law of January 26, 2024, and the Retailleau circular of January 23, 2025, as ineffective security-focused approaches that marginalize migrants. They estimate that between 300,000 and 400,000 undocumented workers currently reside in France, often filling essential roles in high-pressure sectors such as construction.