The perception of immigration in France: from facts to identity mythologies
The perception of immigration in France: from facts to identity mythologies

Summary/Abstract: The monetary and industrial crisis of the 1970s established in the French public debate many beliefs aboutthe supposed effects of immigration on the economy and demography. This anti-immigration argumentationgrew, as a result of the wave of contemporary attacks on Europe, of the rhetoric mingling immigration andterrorism. These dogmatic positions on immigration have important consequences for migration policyand for living-together. Based on this observation, – this article aims at proposing a critique of the mostwidespread beliefs concerning immigration, in the light of their production context, their logical validityand their confirmation by the facts. From the gratuitous accusation to the slight amplification of reality,the arguments put forward against – or, sometimes, in favour of, – immigration are generally reversed by thefacts. However, these beliefs do not need to be based on objective data to thrive.

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