migrants

Senegambians in Europe Seek Legal Aid Amidst Sweeping EU Immigration Reforms

Actualité

Senegambian nationals residing in Europe are currently seeking legal counsel in response to a comprehensive and far-reaching immigration reform introduced by the European Union. Legal experts have characterized these reforms as sweeping and extensive, prompting hundreds of Senegambian individuals to explore legal avenues.

The European Union not only agreed to reform the Immigration and Asylum systems but also introduced stringent and impactful regulations. The severity of these reforms has led the European Council on Refugees and Exiles, a prominent migrant rights umbrella body, to publicly denounce them as “byzantine in their complexity and Orban-esque in their cruelty.”

The criticism is directed at EU leaders who are staunchly advocating these reforms without adequately considering the rights and challenges faced by refugees. Recently, the French Parliament passed legislation reinforcing its own immigration policy, triggering protests and refusals to comply from the country’s 101 departments, including Paris.

Opposition parties in France expressed strong opposition, refusing to discuss the bill in Parliament until a hastily drafted “compromise text” was presented by a Special Parliamentary Committee. Gambian resident Biram Secka in Paris emphasized the need for proper legal advice due to the ambiguous and shocking nature of the reforms.

Ndeye Ba, a Senegalese catering supervisor, highlighted the potential impact on staffing decisions, stating that some individuals may need to reconsider their approach in light of these unexpected changes.

Despite widespread criticism, anti-immigrant rhetoric persists. Health Minister Aurélien Rousseau resigned in protest, objecting to the law, while French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin defended it as a measure to protect the French and prevent the rise of the anti-immigration far-right National Rally Party.

Notably, anti-migration policies are not confined to Europe, as similar trends are observed in other regions, including Australia and the U.S.