Le Pen leads French polls on promise to expel non-assimilated immigrants

Marine Le Pen is currently polling ahead of her rivals for the French presidential election set for the spring of 2026. Her support has grown in recent weeks as widespread protests against a stagnating economy have intensified across the country. These demonstrations have resulted in material damage to 2,500 businesses and left 1,500 police officers injured.

Le Pen is running for a fourth time after three previous unsuccessful bids. She is also appealing a conviction for embezzlement. Despite these legal and political hurdles, her standing has risen in tandem with the social unrest. In a recent interview with 60 Minutes, she linked the nation's economic difficulties to the actions of rioters from the extreme left.

Her campaign focuses heavily on immigration policy. Le Pen argues that France must expel newcomers who do not assimilate into society. She claims that immigrants are statistically more likely to be unemployed than French citizens. She stated that the country can no longer afford to import unemployed people, a measure she believes will stabilize the local economy.

When 60 Minutes contributor Trevor Phillips suggested that discrimination might drive high immigrant unemployment, Le Pen rejected the premise. She asserted that discrimination does not exist in France. She told Phillips he should not import those ideas from elsewhere and labeled France the least racist country in the world.

Le Pen distinguished the French model of integration from the American approach. She described the American view as a layered cake where communities maintain distinct customs. In contrast, she said France expects immigrants to blend fully into the national community rather than existing as separate groups.

Regarding remigration, Le Pen said she would argue for the departure of individuals who refuse to adopt the French way of life. She described a scenario where an immigrant explicitly states they hate local culture and do not wish to respect laws. In that case, she said the door would be wide open, and the individual might be forced to leave.

Phillips noted that the French public often referred to Le Pen’s party as extremist two decades ago. He asked if her image had evolved. Le Pen said she would not allow people to say France had become extremist. She suggested that French people have simply gotten to know her better over time. She characterized the current political shift as the end of a world built on unrestrained globalization.