Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau wants to extend administrative detention up to 210 days

The Minister of the Interior Bruno Retailleau wishes to extend the duration of administrative detention of irregular migrants up to 210 days, in an interview published by the Figaro magazine Wednesday October 2. “For terrorist acts, French law already provides for a period of up to 210 days. For the most serious crimes, our hand must not tremble, we must go up to 180 days, or even 210 days”declared Bruno Retailleau to the weekly.

First set at 10 days in 1993, the duration in administrative detention centers (CRA) was increased by “exceptional manner” 90 days with the Collomb law of 2018 and 210 days, or approximately seven months, in terrorist matters. The Minister of the Interior hopes that all cases can be aligned with this duration. “This requires the passing of a law but everyone will take their responsibilities before the people”added the minister, holding a hard line on immigration.

He further indicated that he would request “the prefects must systematically appeal the release of a CRA, even if this appeal is not suspensive”. A foreigner can in fact appeal his placement by the prefect to a judge of freedoms and detention within 48 hours. Also in its sights are the associations operating in these centers and responsible for providing legal and social assistance to those detained. He wishes to transfer this competence to the French Office of Immigration and Integration (Ofii) and not to associations, “who are judge and party”he believes.

The new tenant of Place Beauvau also wants to condition the “visa policy when issuing passes” consular documents, essential documents to send a foreigner back to his country of origin, indicating that he was going “dialogue” with the Minister of Foreign Affairs. This avenue was mentioned the day before by the Prime Minister during his general policy speech. Believing to be “too generous, without being reciprocated”Bruno Retailleau said that in 2023, France issued 238,750 visas to Morocco but did not obtain “only 725 passes”. Algeria has obtained 205,853 visas and “only took back 2,191 of its nationals”according to the minister.