French presidential hopeful Laurent Wauquiez has triggered widespread outrage after suggesting that migrants awaiting deportation should be sent to the remote French territory of Saint Pierre and Miquelon, located off Canada’s coast. His comments have not only angered political opponents but also stirred division within his own conservative party.
Wauquiez, one of several candidates aiming to lead the conservatives in the 2027 presidential election, made the proposal in an interview with JDNews magazine. His idea appears to be part of a broader strategy to take a tougher stance on immigration and appeal to right-wing voters. However, his call to isolate migrants on a distant island has been met with fierce criticism.
What is Laurent Wauquiez proposing?
Wauquiez wants to send dangerous migrants under “Obligation de Quitter le Territoire Français” (OQTF) orders—those required to leave France—to Saint Pierre and Miquelon, a French-controlled archipelago near Canada that lies outside the Schengen area. His plan aims to enforce deportation orders more visibly by separating these individuals from mainland France.
Why is this proposal so controversial?
The backlash has come from across the political spectrum. Manuel Valls, former French prime minister and current minister for overseas territories, condemned the proposal, saying: “No French territory deserves to be treated like a relegation zone.” He likened the plan to colonial-era exile practices.
Even far-right leader Marine Le Pen rejected the idea, stating that deported migrants should be sent back to their own countries—not relocated to another French territory. “The people of Saint Pierre and Miquelon are not second-rate citizens,” she emphasized on X.
Could this impact Wauquiez’s presidential bid?
Many within Wauquiez’s party say his comments could damage his credibility. One conservative lawmaker, speaking anonymously, told Reuters, “Many of us thought it was fake news. It shows he won’t stop at anything, even the most extreme proposals.” The conservative primary is set for May 17, with a possible second round on May 25.
Has this type of plan been proposed elsewhere?
Yes. Similar overseas relocation ideas have surfaced in other European countries. Italy has discussed sending undocumented migrants to Albania, and the UK once planned to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda, though the scheme faced strong legal challenges and was eventually halted.
Is Wauquiez standing by his plan?
Despite the criticism, Wauquiez doubled down on his proposal on social media. “All the dangerous OQTFs to Saint Pierre and Miquelon. I stick to my guns,” he posted on X.
As the 2027 French presidential race heats up, Wauquiez’s hardline approach to immigration is likely to remain a key topic. But whether his plan gains traction or further isolates him politically remains to be seen. One thing is clear: his proposal has turned Saint Pierre and Miquelon into an unexpected flashpoint in France’s ongoing migration debate.