France Tightens Visa Rules for North African Nationals Amid Deportation Dispute

On Europe 1, government spokesman Gabriel Attal justifies the decision: "It is a drastic decision, it is an unprecedented decision, but it is a decision made necessary by the fact that these countries do not accept to take back nationals that we do not wish and cannot keep in France." According to him, the attitude of Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia "hinders the effectiveness of actual returns" at the border once the obligations to leave French territory (OQTF) have been issued.

"There was dialogue, then there were threats; today we are putting this threat into action," explained Gabriel Attal, recalling the visits on this subject to these three countries by Prime Minister Jean Castex and members of the government, including the Minister of the Interior, as well as the meetings with the ambassadors of the countries concerned. "At some point when things don’t move, we enforce the rules," he added.

The government spokesman also said that this decision was made "a few weeks ago" and "will be implemented" to "push the countries concerned to change their policy and agree to issue these consular laissez-passer." "We would like the reaction to be more cooperation with France so that we can enforce our immigration rules," he insisted.