Senator proposes earlier end to territorialized permits

Mahoran senator Saïd Omar Oili has proposed to accelerate the end of territorialized residence permits in Mayotte, which are currently set to be abolished in 2030. The reform would bring forward the timeline, ending a policy that restricts residence to the territory of Mayotte.

Senate law commission opposes acceleration

The Senate's law commission has opposed the proposal, stating that the recent tightening of migration policies needs time to take effect before considering reforms. The commission will examine the bill on November 3, following a report that questions the need for such an accelerated change.

Senator criticizes policy failures in Mayotte

During Senate debates, Saïd Omar Oili criticized the existing policy, calling it a "legacy of colonial legislation" and pointing to a "failure of public policy" in Mayotte since the 2000s. He argued that the current system is outdated and needs to be replaced.

Law commission rejects acceleration

Hervé Reynaud, the rapporteur of the law commission, rejected the idea of accelerating the reform. He noted that the 2030 deadline was a compromise to allow time for new measures against irregular immigration to take effect. He emphasized the need to evaluate these policies before making further changes.

Immigration policies strengthened since 2025

Since 2025, immigration laws in Mayotte have been tightened, including stricter conditions for acquiring nationality through the right of soil and more restrictive access to residence permits. Additional measures have been introduced to combat irregular immigration, such as administrative detention for adults with minors and assistance for voluntary returns.

Rapporteur highlights challenges in Mayotte

The rapporteur acknowledged the impact of migration on public services and development in Mayotte. However, he also noted broader issues like underdeveloped infrastructure and disparities with Metropolitan France. These factors, he said, make it difficult to predict the effects of the proposed reform.

Population data shows high foreign presence

As of January 1, 2026, Mayotte's population was 323,153, with 48% to 55% being foreign nationals. About 30,955 residents held a residence permit. If the reform is enacted earlier, more than 30,000 people could be affected, though their potential movement to other territories remains uncertain.

Political tensions over reform

Elected officials from La Réunion have shown division over the issue. Some view the end of territorialized permits as a "measure of justice" for residents in regular status, while others stress the need for national support for Mayotte and La Réunion. The reform remains a sensitive topic in a region with existing tensions.

Report calls for delayed evaluation

The law commission recommended delaying a full evaluation of the tightened immigration policies until 2028. The report stated that this would allow for a better assessment of the impact of the scheduled 2030 reform, ensuring that any future changes are well-informed.