International student plans draw fire from across French research

Immigration bill debacle: Top science adviser resigns as researchers and university chiefs unite in outrage

An immigration bill approved by the French parliament last month has drawn sharp criticism from across higher education and research, bringing together university chiefs, staff unions and the head of the CNRS in opposition to the plans.

The bill—which would bring in deposits payable by all non-EU students, fee hikes for doctoral candidates and more changes—even provoked the resignation of research minister Sylvie Retailleau. The minister later rescinded this after president Emmanuel Macron promised to reverse some of the measures prior to the law’s adoption.