© Pascal Rossignol / Reuters
After more than 60 hours of heated debate, France's National Assembly has adopted a controversial immigration bill that speeds up the asylum process and steps up deportations, all aimed at controlling illegal immigration.
The new legislation,
approved by 228 votes in favor to 139 against, was adopted on first reading late on Sunday and is on its way to the Senate for debate.
One of the key changes is that
failed asylum seekers awaiting deportation can be held for up to 90 days, double the existing period of 45 days, but less than the 135-day period the government had initially aimed for, according to
Le Parisien.
The deadlines for filing asylum applications or appealing against a rejection have also been altered. Asylum seekers will now
have 90 days to file an application (down from 120 days) and a fortnight to appeal a rejection.
The new legislation came under fire, as being too tough, by human rights activists and opposition members.
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