France Faces Escalating Immigration Crisis: Nearly One Million Undocumented Immigrants

France is currently grappling with an unprecedented immigration crisis, with nearly one million undocumented immigrants residing in the country. A report published on June 28, 2025, highlights that the number of undocumented immigrants is estimated to be between 800,000 and 900,000, indicating a profound challenge similar to the population of major French cities like Marseille, Nice, Nantes, and Bordeaux combined (ID: 8369).

In just 2024, French authorities apprehended 147,154 irregular foreigners, marking a 19% increase from the previous year and reinforcing a worrying trend that has persisted for a decade, with only the brief interruption of the COVID-19 pandemic. The surge in undocumented immigrants is placing significant strain on public services, particularly in the sectors of education and healthcare.

Schools across France are experiencing severe overcrowding, with reports indicating up to one-third of students in certain classes not speaking French. This language barrier is contributing to declining educational quality and hindered integration of immigrant children into the French education system. Similarly, healthcare services are overwhelmed, with emergency rooms and maternity wards struggling to accommodate the rising demand from an expanding population of undocumented immigrants. While immigration is not the sole contributor to these strains, it undeniably adds pressure on already burdened public health systems (ID: 8369).

Moreover, the security implications of the crisis are concerning as many undocumented immigrants do not leave the country despite having received expulsion orders. The government's difficulty in effectively managing these removals has sparked fears about public safety and the enforcement of law. Critics argue that France's political elite has largely overlooked these growing issues, preferring instead to engage in symbolic debates about societal topics that do not address the immigration crisis directly. The neglect of these pressing concerns could lead to severe destabilization of French society, threatening national identity, economic stability, and territorial integrity (ID: 8369).

As the situation develops, the urgent need for effective immigration control has been emphasized, with warnings that the current trajectory may lead to a profound societal crisis if not addressed in a timely manner.