u/Same_Divide_7608

The last few years have seen a record number of immigrants and displaced people in human history. Millions of people have been forced to swallow their pride and leave their comfort zones for the unknown, leaving behind family, friends, culture, and cherished memories. We can point to the war in Iraq, the devastation in Libya, the war in Ukraine, the global mismanagement of the COVID crisis, and the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East as driving forces that continue to push global displacement numbers to unprecedented heights.

I have spent at least 20 years of my life as an immigrant and I’ve stepped foot in at least 17 countries. Just like the earliest ancestors of the human species, I have been roaming.

I sincerely believe that immigrants represent some of the most resilient parts of the human race. To move, you often have to be either the richest, the smartest, the strongest, or a combination of all three. I feel immensely proud to be an immigrant because I have contributed to the human capital of this Earth by traveling and living in different places.

As a collective global population, immigrants make up the equivalent of the 3rd largest nation on Earth behind China and India, and we represent the 3rd largest GDP behind China and the USA. We contribute to the world in so many ways, often giving far more than we receive. Yet we keep our heads down and we keep working, because without us, parts of this world would simply cease to move.

But some days, I get tired of being demonized.

Just watching the news from South Africa to Ghana, the USA to the Dominican Republic, Germany, the UK, Japan, and beyond, I see people cheering for the downfall of immigrant populations. I see people demanding their governments make life harder for us and treating human beings as invaders. They don't seem to realize that we are all citizens of Earth. We can even prove scientifically that we are part of this planet and the universe itself down to the molecular level.

Nobody owns a title or a deed to this planet. We all came from somewhere. No one chose where they would be born. It’s not something you worked hard for or deserved, unlike those who volunteered to naturalise.

Living as an immigrant today and watching how we are treated globally, I have to ask. Are you proud to be an immigrant?

Or do you find yourself feeling ashamed, stressed, or just completely exhausted by it sometimes?

I’ve been increasingly concerned about the rise of Jordan Bardella, who many see as a potential future president.

To me, he comes across as a more polished and articulate version of Donald Trump, which is precisely what worries me. The rhetoric feels familiar: heavy emphasis on patriotism, national identity, and defining who truly “belongs.” Loving one’s country is not a problem in itself, but when patriotism becomes obsessive or exclusionary, history shows that it often signals deeper social and economic malaise.

From what I can see, many of Bardella’s proposed policies would make life more uncomfortable and demanding for immigrants. As someone who has lived in many places, from the United States to Africa and Latin America, I recognize certain warning signs. One of the clearest is when identity debates dominate everything: who is “real,” who is not, and who deserves rights or dignity.

Looking at Bardella’s social media, the level of support is striking, French flags everywhere, constant references to patriotism, almost war-like language. Again, this doesn’t come from nowhere. When people feel economically squeezed and insecure, national identity can become the last thing they cling to.

I know Emmanuel Macron is far from popular, but I personally think he’s doing the best he can in a world still dealing with the aftershocks of COVID, inflation, and global instability. Perfect? No. But governing in this context is extremely complex.

I lived in the US during the Barack Obama years and during Trump’s first term. The shift in rhetoric when Trump took power was dramatic, and as an immigrant who was contributing to society, it became genuinely toxic and exhausting. I’m not here to bash Trump, but I believe leaders should be judged by their outcomes, and we’ve all seen the consequences.

France, despite its real struggles, housing, cost of living, immigration, still has it very good compared to much of the world. The French brand, values, and global reputation are strong and deeply respected. I sincerely hope that, in trying to fix its problems, France doesn’t end up damaging what makes it so admired in the first place.

Curious to hear from others, especially immigrants and French citizens. Do you share these concerns, or do you see Bardella’s rise differently?

Hi everyone! My family of 3 (Husband, myself, and our toddler) is planning a move from the Americas to France. We are moving on a Talent Passport and are looking for the best place to land.

About us:

Background: We have roots in the US, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Africa. We’re well-traveled with college degrees and a very global perspective.

Language: Husband is fluent in French; I’m still learning but getting there!

Goals: We want a city that is entrepreneur-friendly but also a great place to raise a toddler.

Our Big Questions:

1. Best Cities? We’ve looked at Paris and Marseille, Nice so far , but which city would you recommend and why ?

2. Housing& Bureaucracy: Is it true that finding a rental is a nightmare without a French guarantor, even with a Talent Visa? What would you suggest before we land in France this summer.

3. Vibe for immigrant families: During our research, we’ve stumbled upon some intense "far-right" French content online that honestly reminds us of some of the rhetoric back in the US. As a Black family, should we be genuinely concerned about day-to-day safety or systemic exclusion, or is that "internet version" of France more extreme than the reality?

P.s We have seen a lot of good attributes about France as a country, but it's hard to ignore those extreme anti immigrant voices, so tell us what you think.

We’d love to hear from other immigrants or entrepreneurs who have made the leap before us. Merci d'avance !!