In their letter to De Villepin, the Christian Churches of France state that the new bill can have "serious consequences on the fate of men and women who are already living in unstable conditions”. What the Churches are most worried about is the fact "the bill contains provisions that will further reduce the possibility of legalising foreigners", thus leaving "a high number of people in a state of administrative and social instability". The letter reviews the provisions contained in the bill. Whilst sharing the government’s worry to "avoid illegal acts", the Churches think the bill risks for instance "delaying family reunions and leaving whole families in long-lasting uncertainty". As to illegal migrants, the Churches pointed out that the actual situation of the "sans papiers" is "irrepressible, estimated now at hundreds of thousands of people. Can one just ask them to go back home? It sounds unrealistic to us in practical terms and problematic in humane terms". In addition, the bill provides for an extension to the list of the so-called "Countries of safe origin", and this will inevitably result in a restriction of the protective measures for "asylum seekers", with a "reduction in actions of social assistance and aid", which are normally put in place in these cases. The Churches are not even convinced about the "development of a skill and talent card", which risks "creating deep inequalities amid different categories of people".
