The French government is intensifying its efforts against illegal immigration with a large-scale operation deploying approximately 4,000 law enforcement personnel across the country.
Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau said that this nationwide crackdown will take place over two days, on 18 and 19 June, focusing on train stations and bus terminals.
Speaking on the Cnews TV channel and Europe 1 radio on Wednesday, Retailleau detailed that the mobilisation will include gendarmes, police officers, customs agents, and military personnel from the "Sentinelle" force.
The operation aims to intercept and detain undocumented migrants travelling through France's major transport hubs, including the busy Gare du Nord in Paris, where the minister was present to oversee some of the checks.
Operation Sentinelle – in place since January 2015, after the attack on satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo – consists of 7,000 troops at an estimated cost of €400,000 per day.
Enhanced border controls
Since the beginning of 2025, France has reportedly apprehended some 47,000 foreigners in an irregular situation, according to Retailleau, who has made combating illegal immigration a central theme of his tenure.
He highlighted a recent 28 percent rise in the apprehension of undocumented migrants, attributing this to enhanced border and transport controls.
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The Interior Ministry has instructed authorities across France to conduct targeted checks on trains heading to neighbouring countries and major French cities – both on arrival and departure.
This follows a similar operation conducted on 20 and 21 May, which resulted in over 750 arrests.
Retailleau emphasised that border controls have been “reintroduced much more tightly than before,” with a dedicated “border force” comprising of police, gendarmes, customs officers, and military personnel.
This marks a shift towards a more stringent enforcement policy aimed at deterring illegal crossings.
“What I want to say is that clandestine migrants are not welcome in France, in the most resolute and definitive way,” he said in a statement.
His rhetoric aligns with the government's broader approach to immigration, which has sparked debate among political parties and civil society groups.
Increasing pressure
France has faced increasing pressure over migration flows, particularly through its northern transport corridors connecting to the United Kingdom and other European destinations.
The Gare du Nord station in Paris is a key transit point for migrants attempting to reach the UK, often resulting in tense confrontations and humanitarian concerns.
Human rights organisations have criticised the heightened controls, warning that aggressive policing risks infringing on migrants' rights and exacerbating their vulnerabilities.
But supporters argue that robust enforcement is necessary to maintain order and uphold national sovereignty.
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The two-day operation represents the latest step in France's ongoing efforts to manage migration amid complex regional dynamics.
As the operation unfolds, further updates are expected regarding the number of arrests and the impact on migration routes.
(With newswires)
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