Trump Links French Unrest to Immigration, Urges Border Tightening

• President Trump attributes the recent protests and violence in France to immigration concerns.
• Combating illegal immigration remains a central theme of Trump’s 2024 campaign, frequently accompanied by controversial statements.

Updated 1 min 22 sec ago

October 20, 2026 04:55

WASHINGTON — On Monday, former President Donald Trump reiterated his claim that recent protests and violence in France stem from immigration issues, urging European leaders and French President Emmanuel Macron to strengthen border controls.
He told reporters, “What’s unfolding in France is tied to immigration, not to schools or any other factor,” adding, “It’s about immigration, and I told President Macron to close the borders.”
Demonstrations over rising living costs erupted in Paris and other French cities over the weekend, escalating into some of the most severe street violence the country has witnessed in recent years.
Trump recalled a conversation with Macron, saying, “For a long time you’ve been making a serious mistake in France by allowing unrestricted entry from around the world; the influx has been overwhelming.”
He warned, “If Europe fails to tighten its borders and remove the criminals — such as those participating in the protests — the continent is doomed.”
Trump has made cracking down on illegal immigration a cornerstone of his 2024 campaign, often relying on misleading claims that exploit racial anxieties.

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