French Court Rules in Favor of Humanitarian Aid to Illegal Migrants

Ruling says prosecuting such activity would conflict with the  principle of ‘fraternity’ in France's constitution

PARIS—France’s constitutional court ruled Friday that it is legal to offer humanitarian aid to migrants who are in France illegally, saying that to prosecute such activity would conflict with the  principle of “fraternity” enshrined in the French constitution.

The ruling stems from appeals by two men, including Cédric Herrou, an olive farmer in southeastern France. Mr. Herrou had appealed a four-month sentence for driving illegal migrants from the Italian border to his farm, where he provided  them with food, shelter and legal...