French authorities wary of migration influx: reports
3 Min Read
After migrants swarmed on the Italian island of Lampedusa, French officials are concerned about an increase in migration into France.
-
Migrants sit in a coach as they arrive at the holiday camping center in Hyeres France on November 11, 2022 (AP)
According to French broadcaster BFMTV, French police have expressed concern regarding a surge of migrants into France after hundreds docked at Italy's Lampedusa Island.
Last week, the Italian island of Lampedusa declared a state of emergency due to over 8,000 undocumented migrants arriving in just three days, surpassing the island's permanent population. Lampedusa's Mayor, Filippo Mannino, described the situation as nearing a breaking point.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visited Lampedusa and pledged support for Italy to address the migrant influx. She proposed a ten-point action plan, known as the "Plan for Lampedusa," which includes repatriation for those without asylum, cooperation with Tunisia for development, and actions against migrant smuggling.
Read more: France charges 5 military staff over 2021 Channel migrant boat tragedy
The situation is worse in the Menton in the Alpes-Maritimes Department, near France's border with Italy. French officers detain between 200 and 300 migrants attempting to enter France in this area. Regional police commander Emmanuelle Joubert was quoted as claiming that 32,000 arrests had been made since January, which is 20% more than in the same period last year. She also stated that the number of minor migrants who were not accompanied by adults had more than doubled.
Joubert was quoted detailing that "This year we have had almost 5,000 such cases," double the number of last year.
According to BFMTV France positioned an additional 200 officers in Menton before the situation in Lampedusa came about. Now their number has increased to 500. Paris also increased the number of counter-terrorism personnel in the region and sent more equipment, including drones, to Menton police and military forces.
Last week, the broadcaster reported that a second emergency meeting was called by French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin regarding the migration crisis on the Italian island.
The Pope on Saturday reiterated his call for European governments to take greater responsibility in caring for migrants making perilous journeys across the Mediterranean. He stated, "Those who risk their lives at sea do not invade, they look for welcome."
As he made closing remarks on a gathering of bishops and young people from the Mediterranean region in the French port city of Marseille, Pope Francis emphasized that migration is "a reality of our times, a process that involves three continents around the Mediterranean and that must be governed with wise foresight, including a European response".
Germany is also fearful about an influx of migrants, as German Economy Minister Robert Habeck on Saturday remarked that German communities are no longer capable of providing accommodation for migrants coming into Germany.
In an interview with RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland, the minister called on all parties to help solve the problem of migration, citing that "social workers can barely keep up," as there is a shortage of living spaces.
