I think you've got your terms muddled. They aren't immigrants. They've been given permission to live in France as a result of a visa.

I've lived in many countries. For instance, I lived in Lesotho (small country surrounded by South Africa). I had a visa to do so. I was not an immigrants.

I did, however, immigrate to the States from London. I was an expat in London, though. I didn't need a visa to live there bedause I was a German citizen (EU citizen), so I was an expat in London.

Having a visa to live somewhere does not make one an immigrant. Once one has been given permanent residence, one does not require a visa. A visa is temporary permission to be somewhere.