French parliament restricts birthright citizenship in Mayotte

France's parliament finalized a bill that restricts citizenship rights for children born in Mayotte, an overseas territory in the Indian Ocean. Proposed by right-wing lawmakers, this bill does not alter the broader "right of soil" (jus soli) applicable throughout mainland France. However, critics, particularly from the left, view it as a troubling concession to the far-right anti-immigration agenda and express concerns about potential nationwide implications for citizenship rights.

Currently, children born in France to foreign parents can acquire French nationality at age 13, provided they meet certain residency criteria. However, since 2018, Mayotte has imposed additional requirements due to its unique demographic situation. This French archipelago attracts many migrants from the nearby Comoros Islands, who often arrive irregularly in search of better opportunities. Under the existing law, a child born in Mayotte needed at least one parent to have legally resided there for three months at the time of birth.

The new legislation raises this requirement significantly, mandating that both parents must have lived legally in Mayotte for at least one year, although single parents are exempt from this stipulation. The Senate had approved the revised text on Thursday, followed by the national Assembly's endorsement on Tuesday.

Philippe Gosselin, a lawmaker from the right-wing Republican party who introduced the bill, stated that the ability to obtain French nationality has been a major factor driving irregular migration to Mayotte. Conversely, Dominique Voynet, a member of the Green party, warned that this bill signifies the potential end of the right of soil in France, labeling Mayotte as a testing ground for far-right ideologies.

Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right National Rally party, claimed the law's impact would be minimal and insisted on the necessity of abolishing the right of soil across France entirely. Despite a recent court ruling that imposed a five-year ban on her candidacy for embezzling EU funds—a charge she denies—Le Pen remains a parliamentary figure.

Mayotte has a population of approximately 320,000, with a 2019 study indicating that nearly half are foreigners, a third of whom were born on the island. Prime Minister François Bayrou recently called for a national discussion on immigration and French identity, following controversial remarks about immigrants "flooding" France. Additionally, Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin has suggested constitutional changes to eliminate citizenship rights for those born in France.