ABSTRACT
This chapter argues that French policies and laws on immigration and asylum support and even aggravate situations of inequality and dependence for migrant women. Women migrants and asylum seekers in France find themselves confronted with a range of policies, legislation and administrative practices which impose highly restrictive conditions on the entry and residence of foreigners. The laws concerning family reunification permit a foreigner residing in France in a regular situation to bring his or her close relations to France. Marriage to a French national, whether this marriage occurred in France or abroad, gives a person the right to a French residence permit. French law considers that all residents of foreign nationality are subject, in so far as their personal status is concerned, to the laws of their country of origin. A new law discussed by the National Assembly in the summer of 200322 will only serve to increase the difficulties and the dependent status of immigrant women.
