A group of French lawmakers reached a tentative deal on a controversial immigration bill on Tuesday. The bill will toughen immigration laws and has posed challenges for President Emmanuel Macron, who lacks a parliamentary majority. The government initially intended for the legislation to make it easier for migrants working in labor-deficient sectors to obtain residency permits, while also simplifying the process of expelling illegal migrants. However, in order to gain support from the right and without a majority in the lower house of parliament, the government agreed to water down measures granting residency permits to some illegal migrants and tightening access to welfare. The deal, reached by a committee of seven senators and seven deputies, is seen as a victory for Macron, but has also been claimed as an ideological victory by the far-right party led by Marine Le Pen and the conservative Les Republicains. The bill is skewed to the right, and some members of Macron’s majority have expressed unease over its more conservative aspects. Despite this, the bill is expected to pass through parliament with the support of Le Pen’s party. Its successful passage would provide a boost for Macron, particularly with European parliament elections approaching. Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne stated that the bill will make the immigration system more efficient and simplify asylum application procedures, as well as expedite the expulsion of criminal or radicalized foreigners.