United States President Donald Trump has linked the ongoing unrest in France to immigration, arguing that the disturbances are not the result of education policies or other domestic issues but stem from the country's approach to border control and migration.

Speaking to reporters outside the White House on Monday, Trump said France was facing a "very sad situation" and insisted that immigration was the root cause of the violence and protests witnessed in Paris and other parts of the country.

Trump stated that he had repeatedly advised French President Emmanuel Macron to tighten border controls, claiming he first raised the issue during his initial presidential term. According to Trump, France's current difficulties were a consequence of allowing large numbers of migrants into the country.

He argued that some newcomers did not share France's values or respect its cultural heritage, monuments and traditions, asserting that this had contributed to growing social tensions.

While describing Macron as a friend, Trump said the French leader had made a significant mistake by permitting people from around the world to settle in France without stronger restrictions.

Trump further claimed that Paris would "soon become a Muslim city", presenting the remark as part of his broader criticism of French immigration policies. He reiterated that France should have secured its borders years ago to avoid the challenges it is now experiencing.

Drawing comparisons with the United States, Trump said his administration had closed America's borders more effectively. He maintained that France's border policies had become a major source of instability and also briefly referred to challenges facing the country's energy sector.

The US President widened his criticism to Europe as a whole, warning that European nations needed stricter border controls and stronger deportation measures against individuals involved in criminal activities.

He argued that Europe risked severe long-term consequences if governments failed to remove those whom he accused of contributing to violence, looting and unrest.

Trump also pointed to turmoil in France, Italy and elsewhere in Europe as evidence supporting his long-standing position on immigration, claiming that social disorder was being fuelled by people who do not respect the countries in which they reside.

His comments came as France continues to grapple with significant unrest that has prompted an extensive security response from national and local authorities.

In Bordeaux, officials announced a week-long night-time curfew for unaccompanied minors following widespread looting and violence in the city centre during the weekend.

The order, announced by Sophie Brocas, Prefect of Gironde and Nouvelle-Aquitaine, will remain in force from Tuesday until the morning of October 26. Under the measure, people under 18 years of age are prohibited from being in public areas between 10 pm and 7 am unless accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

Authorities said the riots on October 17 involved an unprecedented level of violence. Thousands of rioters reportedly targeted commercial districts, smashing shop fronts and looting businesses across central Bordeaux.

Security forces deployed 400 police officers and gendarmes, supported by armoured vehicles and water cannons, to restore order. Nearly 120 people were arrested over Saturday and Sunday and are expected to face legal proceedings.

The curfew applies to several key commercial and public areas, including Rue Sainte-Catherine, Rue de la Porte-Dijeaux, Cours de l'Intendance, Promenade Sainte-Catherine, Place Saint-Projet and Place du Général-Sarrail.

Condemning the destruction, Brocas described the events experienced by Bordeaux's shopkeepers as unacceptable and pledged practical support for affected businesses.

She also stressed that the right to protest could never be used to justify looting or criminal behaviour.

The curfew decision was taken in coordination with Mayor Thomas Cazenave and regional business organisations. Government representatives and municipal officials were scheduled to meet at City Hall to assess the scale of the economic damage and organise assistance measures.

The unrest has also triggered wider action at the national level. French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu instructed regional authorities to introduce partial curfews in selected urban areas following consecutive days of violence and disorder.

French authorities have attributed much of the unrest to ultra-left groups, while President Emmanuel Macron has criticised security shortcomings that he said contributed to the escalation of events.

Macron rejected the resignation of Interior Minister Laurent Nunez despite mounting criticism of the authorities' handling of the disturbances.

The wave of unrest has resulted in at least 2,400 arrests nationwide. Rioters have reportedly set fire to town halls, attacked public property and looted or damaged hundreds of businesses across France.

The crisis represents one of the most serious episodes of civil unrest in France in recent years, prompting fresh debate over security, immigration, social grievances and the government's ability to maintain public order.

Agencies