Amy Mek
In a recent and alarming note, former French Border Police director Fernand Gontier has issued a warning about the state of France’s border security. Gontier highlights the severe difficulties that French border agencies face in managing the ever-growing influx of illegal immigrants, a crisis that is rapidly spiraling further out of control. His detailed assessment reveals a border control system crippled by a lack of resources, inadequate technology, and insufficient coordination among various services, all of which leave France dangerously exposed to the ongoing invasion at its borders.
Gontier’s recent statements are a wake-up call for France and the broader European Union. He underlines that the Border Police (PAF) and customs tasked with controlling the borders are struggling to fulfill their mission due to a chronic shortage of staff and technological equipment. This situation is further exacerbated by a restrictive legal framework, such as the Council of State’s decision in February 2024, which prohibits the forced expulsion of migrants found in irregular situations at internal borders. This legal handcuffing has made it nearly impossible for border agencies to act effectively, leading to a situation where illegal immigration is becoming unmanageable and increasingly dangerous for French society​.
The lack of coordination between services within France and across the European Union is a major issue highlighted by Gontier. While the EU’s Frontex agency is expected to deploy 10,000 coastguards or border guards by 2027, France has been reluctant to request these resources, possibly to avoid appearing deficient, despite being a significant contributor to Frontex. This reluctance is putting French national security at risk, as border guards lack access to essential technologies, such as thermal detectors and heartbeat sensors, which are critical for detecting illegal immigrants hidden in vehicles. These tools are primarily confined to airports and seaports, leaving vast stretches of land borders vulnerable​.
This crisis is not confined to France. Across the Atlantic, the United States faces a similar predicament. The U.S. Border Patrol is overwhelmed by the sheer volume of illegal immigrants crossing the southern border. Despite substantial investments in surveillance technologies and physical barriers, the agency has been severely hampered for years by inadequate staffing and a lack of metrics to assess the effectiveness of these tools. The result is a porous border that allows illegal immigrants to flood into the country, bringing with them a host of security risks, economic burdens, and social tensions​.
The impact of illegal immigration on both France and the United States is profound and far-reaching. Local communities are being overwhelmed by the influx, with public services stretched to the breaking point. The financial cost is staggering, with billions of dollars diverted to support illegal immigrants, money that should be used to benefit citizens. This economic strain is coupled with the cultural and social erosion that comes with unchecked immigration, threatening the very fabric of Western societies​.
Yet, as this crisis unfolds, the mainstream media continues to downplay the severity of the situation. Media outlets often spin the narrative to focus on the plight of illegal immigrants, ignoring the devastating impact on citizens who are forced to bear the brunt of this invasion. This deliberate suppression of the truth is preventing the public from fully understanding the existential threat posed by illegal immigration, leaving Western nations ill-prepared to defend themselves against this growing danger​.
In light of these challenges, it is clear that both France and the United States are at a critical juncture. Without immediate and decisive action to bolster border security, these nations risk further erosion of their national integrity and the well-being of their citizens. The time to address this crisis is now, before the consequences become even more severe and irreversible, undermining the safety, stability, and future of Western societies.
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