French undocumented worker regularization proposal

French lawmakers have introduced a proposal in the National Assembly to grant legal residency to an estimated 300,000 to 400,000 undocumented workers. The initiative, supported by the Socialist Party and nearly 70 parliamentarians, seeks to regularize individuals who can prove at least six months of work in France within the last two years.

Proponents of the bill argue that the measure will move workers in essential sectors, such as construction, hospitality, and caregiving, out of the informal economy. They suggest the policy could provide economic benefits, including higher declared employment and a net fiscal gain of approximately 4,000 euros per regularized individual. The proposal draws inspiration from the Spanish model of migrant regularization.

While some political figures are expected to support the measure, the proposal faces potential criticism regarding its impact on immigration control and whether it rewards illegal residency. Lawmakers involved in the bill have criticized existing French migration policies as ineffective, security-focused approaches that marginalize migrants.