The topic of immigration is a major focus of political discussion in the country leading up to the presidential elections, with candidates from both sides of the political spectrum taking strong stances. The recent tragic incident of 27 migrants drowning off the coast of France has further fueled the debate on the need for immigration control. Despite the heated rhetoric during the campaign, the reality is that France actually has a lower proportion of immigrants in its population compared to its neighboring countries. In the last ten years, immigration rates in France have increased at a slower pace than in other parts of Europe and wealthy nations globally. According to François Héran, a migration expert at Collège de France, the immigration situation in France is considered to be "rather ordinary, rather moderate." Politicians in France have proposed measures to limit immigration, such as imposing a moratorium or closing borders, despite the country not being overrun by immigrants. In contrast, other wealthy nations like Germany and Australia have been attracting migrant workers to fill labor shortages caused by the pandemic. Rather than increasing immigration to address the shortage of workers in industries like restaurants and construction, politicians in France have focused on raising wages. Discussions about immigration in France often revolve around national identity and fears of losing traditional French identity to Muslim immigrants from Africa, fueled by the extreme right and recent terrorist attacks. These issues have had a cumulative impact in France, causing any support for immigration to be political suicide, hindering necessary reforms to attract skilled foreign workers, and leading to a more isolated country that was once a global hub. Philippe Corcuff, an expert on the far right at the Institute of Political Studies in Lyon, stated that France is now in a new phase due to the collapse of the left's stance on immigration and the growing influence of the extreme right. Candidates from the center-right Republicans party agree on the need to strengthen border control and restrict immigrants' access to social benefits. One candidate, Michel Barnier, proposed amending the constitution to allow a temporary halt on immigration for several years. On the left, most candidates have remained silent, but one former economy minister vowed to block remittances sent by migrants if their home countries refuse to take back illegal residents in France. The proposal came after President Emmanuel Macron announced plans to reduce the number of visas issued to citizens of Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia. Far-right figure Eric Zemmour, who recently declared his candidacy for the presidency, believes that France's Christian heritage is in danger due to immigration from Muslim countries. Zemmour's candidacy has brought the previously taboo topic of the "great replacement" conspiracy theory into the election discourse, accusing Macron of using immigration to replace white, Christian people. Other candidates, including those from the center-right, have acknowledged the issue of replacement as a real problem for France, despite its association with white supremacist ideology. A recent poll found that 61% of French respondents believe that Europe's white and Christian population will be replaced by Muslim immigrants, a belief not reflected in recent elections in Germany. Germany, despite being a leader in accepting refugees, did not focus on immigration during their campaigns. The head of international migration research for the OECD noted that France has an obsession with immigration issues, even though the country's immigrant population is below the OECD average. Between 2010 and 2020, the percentage of immigrants in Germany's population increased by 16%, while in France, the percentage of immigrants grew by 30% during the same time period. France began reducing the number of workers it accepted from its former colonies in northern Africa in the 1970s, leading to a decrease in migrant workers and an increase in foreign students and family-linked arrivals. The National Front, now the National Rally, played a role in making immigration a controversial topic in French politics. Economist Auriol noted that France now accepts immigrants not primarily for work, but to be reunited with their spouses. France has a less diverse immigration population compared to other wealthy nations, 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 urban areas like Paris, contributes to immigration-related anxieties in the country, according to historian Patrick Weil. Unlike in the United States, where immigration and religion are separate issues, immigration in France is closely tied to its colonial history, particularly in Muslim nations like Algeria, making it a more contentious topic. Auriol, the economist, noted that fears about immigration and threats to France's Christian heritage from the right make it challenging to discuss reforming immigration policies to attract qualified foreign immigrants. She stated that the current policies hinder economic growth and recovery from the pandemic. While some changes have been made in recent years, they are not enough to draw the motivated, skilled immigrants that France needs for innovation. Auriol also pointed out that France struggles to attract citizens from other European Union nations and has difficulty retaining foreign students after graduation due to the anti-immigrant climate. "In the 20th century, Paris attracted talented individuals from around the world," she remarked. "Immigrants played a crucial role in enhancing France's economy, scientific achievements, and cultural advancements. We used to be a welcoming nation. How did we lose that?" © 2021 The New York Times Company.