Tough “immigration policy of France” is working in favour.

France is reasonably happy about the way things are going in the immigration department. Tougher immigration policies were introduced during President Nicolas Sarkozy’s first year in office.

According to the immigration minister due to these tougher policies the country has been able to get rid of numerous illegal immigrants and grab the skilled workers.

France has said that implementing the immigration policies at EU level was its priority for its six month presidency that starts from july1. After the immigration minister’s statement the party said that the UMP would like to see the country’s firm and the policies to become the policies the whole Europe abide by during the French presidency.

Hortefeux, France immigration minister said that 14,660 illegal immigrants were expelled in the crucial phase of the first six month of the year which is a staggering 80percent more than the result for the same period last year. Hortefeux, upheld his achievement proudly by announcing that this was the highest number of immigrants that have been sent back home within an year. He further went on stating that the number of illegal immigrants which is estimated to be 200,000 to 400,000 is decreasing at a rapid pace.

Tougher immigration policies were key to the success. Earlier, Sarkozy was criticized for his setting targets to expel illegal immigrants. Human rights actvists claimed it to be illogical and that such targets are arbitrary.

This year’s expulsion target is 26,000 which Hortefeux said was very confident to be achieved. Hortefeux had also set a target to increase the proportion of economic migrants which saw a change from 7percent to 50 percent. He opposed those who come to join relative. The number of skilled workers allowed into the country has also gone up 36percent compared with previous 12months. So far this year the percentage of totally new arrivals show a figure of 16percent.

France has been saying since last year that it would introduce an EU charter during its first six month of the stint on immigration and it hoped to achieve an agreement by the end of the year on the respective text.