By Agboola Aluko
April 10, 2025 | 4-Minute Read
A controversial proposal by Laurent Wauquiez, a senior member of the right-wing Republicans (LR) party, has ignited widespread outrage across France. On April 8, 2025, Wauquiez suggested exiling migrants who defy deportation orders to Saint Pierre and Miquelon, a remote French territory in the North Atlantic near Canada. The proposal, aimed at creating a detention hub for undocumented migrants deemed a public threat, has stirred both political and public backlash.
Wauquiez, a former regional president and candidate for LR leadership, argued that the harsh climate and isolation of the archipelago—home to fewer than 6,000 residents—could act as a deterrent for migrants resisting deportation. “I propose that dangerous foreigners under an order to leave French territory be locked up in a detention center in Saint Pierre and Miquelon,” he said. His plan was sparked by a high-profile incident in February 2025, where an Algerian national, who had been ordered to leave France but was not deported, killed one person in Mulhouse. This incident reignited frustration over the French deportation system, with approximately 120,000 expulsion orders issued annually but only about 10% successfully enforced.
The backlash to Wauquiez's proposal has been swift and bipartisan. Overseas Minister Manuel Valls condemned the plan as “forced exile,” likening it to France’s colonial past. Socialist leader Boris Vallaud labeled the idea "shameful and stupid," while even Marine Le Pen of the far-right National Rally, known for her hardline stance on immigration, rejected the proposal, emphasizing that deported individuals should be returned to their home countries, not kept on French soil.
Wauquiez, however, defended his stance by pointing to Australia’s controversial offshore detention system, which had been implemented on islands like Nauru and Manus. This policy was widely condemned for its inhumane conditions, including reports of mental health crises and deaths among detainees. Wauquiez denied any inspiration from former U.S. President Donald Trump’s immigration rhetoric, despite the obvious similarities.
Saint Pierre and Miquelon, a group of islands located just off the coast of Newfoundland, is an unlikely candidate for such a detention scheme. The islands’ small population, which primarily relies on fishing and tourism, faces a harsh maritime climate, and its fragile ecosystem has led to resistance in the past—such as in 2023, when a petition against a proposed wind farm cited environmental concerns. Local leaders have yet to formally comment on the proposal, though there are signs of potential opposition.
Wauquiez’s proposal highlights the broader immigration debate that continues to shape France’s political landscape. With the LR and the ruling coalition adopting more hardline positions—such as tighter asylum rules in early 2025—his move may be an attempt to outflank rivals in the upcoming leadership race. However, it risks alienating moderates and drawing further criticism from human rights groups. Social media backlash has already seen hashtags like #NonÀSaintPierre trending, with many activists decrying the plan as impractical and inhumane.
As France continues to grapple with immigration challenges, Wauquiez’s proposal—whether it’s a serious policy initiative or a political maneuver—has exposed deep divisions in the country’s approach to borders and identity. The debate over how to handle migrants and deportations is likely to remain a contentious issue in the lead-up to France’s upcoming elections.
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