More than 104,000 first asylum applications were registered in France in 2021, an increase of 28.3% compared to 2020 (81,000). However, this number remains far below pre-health crisis levels, according to provisional immigration statistics published on Thursday by the Ministry of the Interior.
This increase in applications submitted to dedicated one-stop shops (Guda) is partly explained by the evacuation operations of thousands of Afghan nationals from Kabul, after the Taliban took power in mid-August 2021.
Afghanistan thus consolidates its position as the main country of origin of asylum seekers in France, with 16,126 applications filed (+62%), far ahead of Côte d’Ivoire (6,268), Bangladesh and Guinea.
Despite the increase, asylum applications in 2021 remain fewer than in 2019 (138,000) and 2018 (122,000).
Increase in “removals”
In addition, the provisional data show a very slight recovery in the “removals” of foreigners in an irregular situation (+8.2% compared to 2020), a file on which the government is struggling to accelerate since the pandemic. Voluntary departures aided by the state have also increased.
“The fight against irregular immigration continues, in a context that is still very constrained due to the difficulties encountered in organizing travel in times of health crisis: reduced consular activity, difficulty in obtaining consular passes, drop in air traffic , refusal to submit to the tests”, explained in a press release the general direction of foreigners in France (DGEF) of the ministry.
Authorities have announced that 52,000 migrants attempted to cross the Channel to Britain last year, of which 28,000 (triple compared to 2020) managed to cross the English side.
Despite the political crisis between Paris and London over the migration issue, which came to light with the sinking of 27 migrants who were attempting the crossing last November, France issued more than 96,000 residence permits to nationals last year. British due to Brexit, we also learned.