Americans in France: Consulate closures, Lady Liberty and US-France emigration
Dear Americans in France,
Relations between Europe and the United States are
tense
, to say the least. In France, politicians have become bolder in their critiques of the US government.
Last week, a French senator gave a
searing speech
, which ended up going viral, where he compared Washington to "Nero's court, with an incendiary emperor, submissive courtiers and a buffoon on ketamine in charge of purging the civil service."
Another French MP is asking for the
Statue of Liberty back
. Centre-left politician Raphael Glucksmann said: "We're going to say to the Americans who have chosen to side with the tyrants, to the Americans who fired researchers for demanding scientific freedom: 'Give us back the Statue of Liberty'".
Advertisement
France does already have
at least a dozen Statues of Liberty
already, though I don't think this is what Glucksmann was getting at.
More seriously, the French government has expressed an interest in coming to the rescue of researchers who have lost funding in the US, and we've put together a guide geared toward
American researchers interested in moving
to France.
As an American in France, I've been asked more questions about my political opinions in the last month (sometimes by perfect strangers) than in the entirety of my almost six years in France. I understand the curiosity, but these conversations can be quite tedious. I've found that turning the question around and asking the inquirer their thoughts can alleviate some of the pressure.
It's not just the tedious conversations, Americans in France are still impacted by US policy, despite living abroad.
One clear example of this is the (as yet unconfirmed) plan to shrink the State Department and shut down several US consulates around the world - including four that are located in France.
Americans in Strasbourg decided to protest the possible closure of the consulate in eastern France, which has stood since 1866. We also reached out to Americans in France to hear about how the planned
consulate closures would affect them.
And current events have played a role in
pushing more Americans to France
permanently.
According to preliminary immigration data for 2024, 13,000 first-time
cartes de séjour
were awarded to Americans - an increase of 5.3 percent from 2023 (12,341 first-time cards awarded).
We also asked readers who recently moved to France to explain their motivations, and almost half of respondents mentioned President Donald Trump and politics in some capacity.
Advertisement
Usually, that was not the only reason - other factors included being close to retirement age, seeking a better quality of life and looking to be near friends and family.
We also asked readers about some of the challenges they experienced when moving to France - people mentioned struggles with bureaucracy, such as dealing with paperwork and préfecture appointments to renew residency cards, opening
bank accounts
, finding a
doctor
, locating housing, and navigating taxes.
We always offer the opportunity - via our
ongoing survey
- to give your tips to other Americans in France and to let us know if you have any questions you need answered.
One reader, Louise Burnham, recommends other Americans "Get to know French people!
"Don't just associate with other expats. There are many associations or English-speaking groups that can help you meet French people, even if you don't speak French."
If making friends with locals sounds daunting, here's how to
start off with some basic small-talk.
Meanwhile, another reader asked us about the "Legal rules for water damage when renting/owning". We've got a thorough guide on damage and disasters, plus how to make a
French home insurance claim
(hopefully you don't have to!).
Thanks for reading, and as always, you can reach me at genevieve.mansfield@thelocal.com.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
LeMonde
6 hours ago
- LeMonde
Netanyahu says Israel must complete defeat of Hamas to free hostages
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday, August 5, that Israel must "complete" the defeat of Hamas in Gaza to secure the release of the remaining hostages, days ahead of a cabinet meeting to discuss an updated war plan. Israeli media have said the premier is considering ordering the total occupation of Gaza, even as international pressure mounts for him to end the war, with a senior UN official warning Tuesday that expanding the fighting risked "catastrophic consequences," including to the captives held by Hamas. "It is necessary to complete the defeat of the enemy in Gaza, to free all our hostages and to ensure that Gaza will no longer pose a threat to Israel," Netanyahu said during a visit to an army training facility. His office later said he had held a three-hour "security discussion" with army chief Eyal Zamir, but did not disclose any new war plans. The premier's office has said the security cabinet will convene later in the week to approve new instructions. Public broadcaster Kan has reported that "Netanyahu wants the Israeli army to conquer the entire Gaza Strip." Citing cabinet members, it said Netanyahu had "decided to extend the fight to areas where hostages might be held." But some major media outlets such as Channel 12 have suggested that the rumored expansion of operations might only be a negotiating tactic. While the reported plan has not been approved, it has already drawn angry reactions from the Palestinian Authority and Gaza's Hamas-run government. 'End the war and the famine' Hamas insisted such a move would not shift its position in ceasefire talks, demanding the withdrawal of all forces from Gaza. "The ball is in the hands of... (Israel) and the Americans," senior Hamas official Hossam Badran told AFP, adding that the militant group wanted to "end the war and the famine." UN assistant secretary-general Miroslav Jenca told the Security Council on Tuesday that a widening of the war "would risk catastrophic consequences for millions of Palestinians and could further endanger the lives of the remaining hostages." Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar was also in New York, attending a Security Council meeting on the plight of the hostages after recent footage of weak and emaciated captives sparked shock and outrage in Israel. Over the war's 22 months, Israeli forces have devastated large parts of the Gaza Strip, where a humanitarian crisis has taken hold, with UN experts recently warning of an unfolding famine. The war was sparked by Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack, which resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, mostly civilians, according to a tally based on official figures. Palestinian militants also seized 251 hostages, 49 of whom remain held in Gaza, including 27 the Israeli military says are dead. The Israeli offensive has killed at least 61,020 Palestinians, according to the Gaza health ministry.
LeMonde
10 hours ago
- LeMonde
European Commission hopes to finalize EU-US trade deal soon
Talks between European and American officials have not broken down. The deal reached by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and US President Donald Trump opened a new phase of discussions, which is expected to lead to the publication of a joint statement. Although not legally binding, the document is expected to outline the terms of the informal agreement that the two leaders reached at the Turnberry golf resort, which is owned by the US president and located on Scotland's west coast, on July 27. "The text is practically ready; we are now waiting for our American counterparts to get back to us to confirm the final details," said a senior European official. As he put it, "It takes two to tango." Nevertheless, Trump has already begun to implement his side of the deal by signing, on July 31, an executive order establishing the new tariff regime, including 15% tariffs on imports from the European Union. However, this executive order, set to take effect on August 7, will not resolve all outstanding issues. It only applies to "reciprocal" tariffs, which exclude cars and car parts. Therefore, the automotive industry remains subject to export taxes of 27.5% when shipping to the United States. "We expect a change to happen very soon," said the aforementioned official.
Euronews
10 hours ago
- Euronews
Trump warns EU: 35% tariffs if $600bn investment pledge unfulfilled
A controversial investment pledge forming part of the EU-US trade deal will need to be honoured by the EU or 35% blanket tariffs will be applied to the bloc, US President Donald Trump has warned. On Tuesday President Trump was quizzed on the deal he agreed by handshake with Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Scotland on 27 July on CNBC's 'Squawk Box' via phone. He touted the US position - which a White House fact sheet stated - that the agreement included a pledge for the EU to invest $600 billion in the US by the end of his second term. "This new investment is in addition to the over $100 billion (that) EU companies already invest in the United States every year," the fact sheet stated following the deal. The European Commission is unable to design and implement investments on behalf of the private sector. The $600 billion has been described by the Commission as an indication based on the executive's contacts with industry. "It's not something the EU, as a public authority, can guarantee – it's something based on the intention of private companies," a senior official said last week. Asked on Squawk Box what teeth there were in the investment pledge element of the deal, Trump said, if it didn't happen, 'then they pay tariffs of 35%'. Trump said that the investment pledge was one of the reasons he had dropped tariffs to a blanket 15% rate, so if it is unfulfilled then higher tariffs will click back in. The EU has been approached for comment. The Commission on Tuesday suspended a package of trade countermeasures targeting €93 billions' worth of American goods which was scheduled to take effect on 7 August, as it continues to negotiate a joint statement formalising the agreement struck by von der Leyen and Trump in Scotland.
