Trump blames immigration for French unrest, urges Europe to close borders

US President Donald Trump on Monday again blamed immigration for the protests and violence that have rocked France in recent days, urging Europe and French President Emmanuel Macron to tighten borders. Speaking to reporters in Washington, Trump reiterated his previous comments, stating that the events in France are due to immigration, not schools or any other reason.Trump recounted a past conversation with President Macron, recalling, “A long time ago, you’re making a big mistake in France. You’re letting everybody from the world come in. The whole world was coming in.” The 80-year-old Republican also claimed that Paris would soon become a Muslim city and warned that Europe would be “finished” if it did not close its borders and remove “criminal” protesters.Combating illegal immigration has been a central pledge of Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign, often accompanied by controversial claims that play on racial fears. While Trump attributed the French protests and violence to immigration, the number or nationality of the “criminal” immigrants he referred to remains unclear.Protests in France began on September 15, 2026, over rising fuel prices. The cost of diesel reached 2.37 euros per litre in 2026, exacerbated by the Iran and Yemen civil wars. Demonstrations in October 2026 also addressed the increasing cost of living, housing shortages, low wages, and pressure on public services. Student-led protests demanding more staff and resources in schools also commenced in September 2026.France’s Interior Ministry reported that approximately 550,000 people participated in nationwide protests on October 17, 2026, while the CGT union estimated the figure at 800,000. Earlier, on October 8, 2026, the Interior Ministry estimated 256,000 participants across the country, with 56,000 in Paris.By October 18, 2026, over 2,000 people had been detained during protests against rising prices and dissatisfaction with public services. Around 400 arrests were made on October 17, 2026, and over 6,000 people were detained during student-led movements on October 8, 2026. The Confederation of Retail and Business Federation reported that approximately 1,500 shops and commercial establishments were damaged due to violence and looting on October 18, 2026. More than 500 police officers, gendarmes, and firefighters were injured during the protests.An estimated 2,000 Nepalis resided in France in 2026. In response to the unrest, French President Emmanuel Macron has pledged to hold those involved in violence accountable. French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu convened an emergency cabinet meeting on Monday, and Macron has also planned an emergency G7 meeting. With presidential elections scheduled for next spring in France, this issue is expected to become even more complex.