France moves to tighten immigration

July 04, 2007

Immigration policy was a pillar of French President Nicolas Sarkozy's election campaign. By promising to stiffen entry rules, Sarkozy stole crucial votes from the country's extreme right. With his government in office barely six weeks, those plans are already being put into action, with a draft bill that imposes new conditions on foreigners wishing to join family members already living in France. But the move has prompted concern and condemnation in some quarters.