France protests: Trump blames immigration for unrest; 1,800 arrested, damage estimated at hundreds of millions of euros

US President Donald Trump has blamed immigration for the unrest in France, urging the country to tighten its border controls after violent protests left at least 1,800 people arrested and caused damage estimated at several hundred million euros. French authorities have not linked immigrants to the rioting, attributing some violence to radical far-left groups and others who joined demonstrations to loot shops.

The protests began in September as students demonstrated over staff shortages, under-resourced schools, and deteriorating school conditions, and later expanded to include anger over rising living costs, inequality, and declining public services. French President Emmanuel Macron faces pressure as hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets to protest these issues.

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