French-Born Student of Moroccan Parents Denied Citizenship, Faces Exam Uncertainty

Chakhs Loutfi was born in 2002 at the Saint-Pierre clinic in Perpignan. His parents are Moroccans. At 19, he still has not acquired French nationality under the deferred simple jus soli, reports Actu.fr. He has undertaken steps with the French administrations, which have proved unsuccessful. The young man was confronted with the refusal of the Perpignan district court, even though he is involved in civic life and has never left the Pyrénées-Orientales.

Without papers, this resident of Estagel cannot take the driving test. He is therefore forced to take the bus every day to go to the agricultural high school in Rivesaltes. He may not be able to take the baccalaureate at the end of the year. An untenable situation for Chakhs Loutfi. "I no longer sleep. My life is suspended, hangs by a thread. I keep smiling, but deep down it’s hard because I’m worried about my future. And what is especially heartbreaking is not being recognized as French when France is my country."

But the situation is far from undermining his morale: "I won’t give up." The last (temporary) solution he thinks of is to apply for a residence permit, valid for 5 years. This would allow him to take his exams, work, and start his working life.