France becomes Europe’s most popular country for refugees

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France has emerged as the European Union’s leading destination for asylum seekers, overtaking Germany’s long-held position, according to newly revealed Commission survey data.

Confidential documents obtained by Germany’s Welt am Sonntag newspaper show France received 40,871 asylum applications in 2024’s first quarter, surpassing Spain’s 39,318 and Germany’s 37,387 applications. Germany experienced a significant 41 percent decrease compared to the previous year, while France is projected to see a modest three percent rise if current trends continue.

Afghan asylum seeker brought his wife and 10 children to France under family reunification law. He doesn't work but now demands a house suitable for his large family, pocket money, medical care and education with taxes of French taxpayers. Does this seem right to you? pic.twitter.com/XGYjqHys0s

— RadioGenoa (@RadioGenoa) August 30, 2024

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The notable decline in German asylum applications stems primarily from Syria’s civil war resolution, which previously contributed substantially to the country’s asylum seeker numbers. The EU+ region, including Norway and Switzerland, has witnessed an overall 19 percent reduction in asylum applications, with 210,641 individuals seeking protection this year.

In striking contrast, Hungary and Slovakia have maintained remarkably low numbers, with just 22 and 37 applications respectively since January, highlighting how government policies can effectively manage migration flows. Meanwhile, France’s more permissive approach under Emmanuel Macron’s administration has led to dramatic increases, with first-time asylum applications rising 89 percent since his presidency began, and showing a staggering 245 percent increase compared to 2009.

Fake refugees in France want and DEMAND new documents and free accommodation.

They basically want taxpayers to foot the bill for everything.

When does this insanity end? 
Why does France keep importing more of this?

🚨🚨🚨 pic.twitter.com/jvHhPbRCpt

— Wall Street Mav (@WallStreetMav) May 15, 2024

The Macron administration has processed 825,000 asylum applications between 2017 and 2023, equivalent to accepting a population matching Marseille’s size. The Observatory of Immigration and Demography (OID) attributes this surge to France’s lenient asylum criteria, noting that current regulations make approximately 580 million people worldwide eligible for asylum in France – roughly 8.5 times the country’s population.

The expansion of France’s refugee definition has contributed to these numbers, now encompassing individuals claiming gender or sex-based violence in their home countries, beyond traditional war and conflict refugees. The system lacks annual quotas or country-specific limitations on asylum seekers.

Nicolas Pouvreau-Monti, OID’s director, recommends seeking an EU immigration rules exemption, similar to Denmark and Ireland’s arrangements. He suggests rejecting secondary applications and making the asylum system less appealing to reduce the influx of asylum seekers.