The topic of immigration is a major focus of political discussions leading up to the presidential elections in five months. Candidates from both the left and right are taking firm stances on the issue. The recent tragedy of 27 migrants drowning off the coast of France has intensified calls for stricter immigration policies. However, despite the strong rhetoric from politicians, the reality is that France has a lower percentage of immigrants compared to its neighboring countries. Immigration rates in France have actually decreased in the past decade, in contrast to the rest of Europe and other wealthy nations. According to migration expert François Héran, the situation in France is relatively average and moderate. Politicians in France are considering measures such as a moratorium on immigration, holding a referendum, or closing borders, despite the fact that the country is not overwhelmed by immigration. This is in contrast to other wealthy nations like Germany and Australia, which are attracting migrant workers to address labour shortages caused by the pandemic. While French businesses are facing worker shortages, politicians are focused on increasing wages rather than allowing more immigrants into the country. The discussion around immigration in France often revolves around national identity and fears of threats posed by Muslim immigrants from Africa, rather than focusing on the economic benefits of immigration. These concerns have had a cumulative impact in France, leading to a situation where embracing immigration has become political suicide, hindering necessary reforms to attract skilled workers from other countries, and causing the country, once a global crossroads, to turn inward. The collapse of the left and the rise of the far right over the past 15 years have shifted the political landscape, with extreme right parties shaping the debate even if they may not win elections. Candidates from the main center-right party are advocating for tighter border control and stricter criteria for immigrants to receive social benefits. Some have even proposed changes to the constitution to allow for a temporary halt on immigration. On the left, most candidates have chosen to remain silent on the issue, but one former economy minister has pledged to block remittances sent by migrants back to their home countries if those countries refuse to repatriate their citizens who are in France illegally. The suggestion came after President Emmanuel Macron announced his plan to reduce the number of visas granted to citizens of Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia. Far-right figure Éric Zemmour, who recently declared his candidacy for the upcoming presidential elections, has expressed concern that immigration from Muslim countries poses a threat to France's Christian heritage and survival. Zemmour's candidacy has brought the once-taboo topic of the "great replacement" conspiracy theory, which accuses politicians like Macron of using immigration to replace white, Christian individuals, into the election discussions. Zemmour has accused past French administrations of concealing the truth about the country's replacement and has criticized Macron for allegedly wanting to merge France with Europe and Africa. While some center-right candidates have refrained from fully endorsing the concept of replacement, they have acknowledged that it presents a genuine issue for France. A recent poll showed that 61% of French respondents believe that Muslim immigrants will replace Europe's white and Christian population, a phenomenon known as the "great replacement." This contrasts with the recent elections in Germany, where immigration was not a significant issue despite the country leading Europe in accepting refugees. Jean-Christophe Dumont, from the OECD, noted that immigration was not a major topic in the German campaign, in stark contrast to the French obsession with the issue. In reality, France has a lower percentage of immigrants in its population compared to the average of OECD nations. Between 2010 and 2020, the proportion of immigrants in Germany's population increased by 16%, while in France, the number of immigrants from northern Africa decreased after a period of economic growth in the mid-1970s. The rise of the far-right National Front, now known as the National Rally, made immigration a controversial topic in French politics. In recent years, new immigration has been primarily driven by foreign students and family reunifications, rather than migrant workers. According to economist Auriol, immigrants are now being accepted into France not for employment purposes, but to be with their spouses. France's immigration population is not as diverse as in other wealthy countries, with over 40% of arrivals in 2019 coming from Africa, particularly Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. This lack of diversity, along with the concentration of new immigrants in cities like Paris, contributes to immigration-related anxieties. Historian Patrick Weil, who teaches at Panthéon-Sorbonne University and Yale, explains that immigration in France is closely tied to its colonial history, particularly in Algeria and other Muslim nations, making it a more contentious issue than in the United States where immigration and religion are separate. According to economist Auriol, fears about immigration and threats to France's Christian heritage from the right wing make it very challenging to have conversations about reforming immigration policies to attract qualified foreign immigrants. Auriol stated that current immigration policies are hindering economic growth and recovery from the pandemic. While some minor changes have been made recently, they are not enough to attract the motivated and skilled immigrants that France needs for innovation and new perspectives. Auriol also mentioned that France's anti-immigrant sentiment results in few citizens from other European Union countries moving to France and a low retention rate of foreign students after graduation. "In the 20th century, Paris was a hub for talented individuals from around the world," she remarked. "Immigrants played a significant role in France's economic, scientific, and cultural achievements. We used to be a welcoming nation. What caused our change?" © 2021 The New York Times Company.