France To Arrest, Expel More Illegal Immigrants

PARIS — France set tough new quotas for the number of illegal immigrants authorities should arrest and expel each month, the new immigration minister said yesterday. Brice Hortefeux, who heads the newly created Ministry of Immigration, Integration, National Identity, and Co-Development, said a monthly quota also would be set for ferreting out those employed in France illegally.

In a meeting with security officials, Mr. Hortefeux reiterated President Sarkozy's goal of 25,000 expulsions by the end of 2007 — compared with 24,000 in 2006 — and set a year-end goal of 125,000 arrests for alleged illegal entry or illegal residence, a ministry statement said.