(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - People in France have differing opinions regarding a government proposal to require new immigrants to present genetic proof that they are related to those they intend to join in the European country, according to a poll by CSA published in Le Parisien. 49 per cent of respondents think the measure would have a positive effect because it would limit fraudulent immigration applications.

Conversely, 43 per cent of respondents think forcing prospective immigrants to take a DNA test goes against the values of French society.

In May, Nicolas Sarkozy, the centre-right Union for a Popular Movement (UMP) candidate and former interior minister, won the presidential run-off with 53.06 per cent of the vote. Sarkozy appointed François Fillon—who had been his adviser and presidential campaign leader—as prime minister.

On Oct. 25, the National Assembly approved a law that will direct immigration applicants who want to join their families already settled in France to provide a DNA sample in order to prove their consanguinity. The law will also ask for newcomers to take a language and "republican values" test, and ensure that their relatives can support them financially when they first arrive in France.

The French government has defended the controversial DNA measure, saying it is aimed at stopping fraudulent applications it claims are common in cases of immigrants coming from some African nations. Foreign minister Brice Hortefeux defended the measure, saying 12 European countries already uses it, and declaring, " I remind you that the test is taken on the initiative of the person seeking a visa. It’s not in any way a genetic file. I hope that initially the procedure will only be carried out in a few countries, because I think it’s useful and more effective to carry it out in steps before it’s made more widespread."

Polling Data

As you may know, the National Assembly is discussing whether to implement DNA testing for prospective immigrants who want to be reunited with family members who are already in France. What is your opinion of this test?

Source: CSA / Le Parisien
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,000 French adults, conducted on Oct. 17 and Oct. 18, 2007. No margin of error was provided.

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