Immigration

Articles

• Canada Expands Visa-Free Travel to 13 Countries, Including Morocco
  12 April, by Sylvanus

  Canada has expanded its Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) program to include eligible travelers from 13 countries, including Morocco.
  No more visa for Moroccans or travelers from Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Costa Rica, Panama, Philippines, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, and Uruguay who have had a Canadian visa in the past 10 years or who currently hold a valid U.S. non-immigrant visa. They can apply (…)

• France to Tighten Immigration Rules and Citizenship Requirements
  11 April, by Said

  The Minister of the Interior, Bruno Retailleau, who is also running for the presidency of the Les Républicains party, presented the guidelines of his immigration policy during a conference on Thursday. He stated that he wants a policy of "rupture" and announced several "upcoming projects" on this subject.
  An immediate measure will concern access to French nationality: the minister stated that a circular would be sent "very soon" to the prefects to toughen the conditions. Recalling his (…)

• French Interior Minister Visits Morocco to Bolster Security and Migration Ties
  12 April, by Said

  The French Minister of the Interior, Bruno Retailleau, is expected this weekend in Morocco for an official working visit. This trip comes as Paris and Rabat display their shared desire to strengthen their ties. Meetings with high-ranking Moroccan officials are on the agenda, focusing on several topics of bilateral cooperation.
  At the heart of this visit, Mr. Retailleau is expected to meet with his Moroccan counterpart, Abdelouafi Laftit. The discussions between the two ministers should (…)

• Belgian Court Sentences Dutch-Moroccan Man to 12 Years for Major Heroin Trafficking Ring
  28 June 2019, by Kamal

  A Dutch national of Moroccan origin was sentenced by the Ghent Court of Appeal in Belgium to 12 years in prison for setting up a drug trafficking network. He is accused, along with his cousin, of having sold more than 210 kilos of heroin, and of causing the death of 3 people who died of overdose.
  The 43-year-old individual and his 22-year-old cousin were involved in a hard drug trafficking network operating between Belgium and the Netherlands. The two men were arrested on November 14, (…)

• Filipino Domestic Worker’s Death in Casablanca Sparks Controversy and Calls for Investigation
  29 June 2019, by Bladi.net

  A Filipino domestic worker in Casablanca died under unresolved circumstances. This prompted the leaders of the Solidarity Instance with Asian Immigrants (ISIA) to speak out. They expressed their frustration with the exploitation of Asian domestic workers in Morocco.
  There is consternation within the Solidarity Instance with Asian Immigrants (ISIA). They protested following the death of a Filipino domestic worker in Casablanca, reports the Arabic daily, Al Ahdath Al Maghribia.
  According (…)

• Moroccan Crossdresser Seeks Asylum in Spain After Public Persecution
  13 February 2019, by Amine

  Interviewed by the newspaper El Confidencial, Chafiq Lafrid, whose case had made headlines a few weeks ago, said he wanted to settle in Spain to be able to enjoy freedom there.
  For El Confidencial, Chafiq Lafrid would be the most hated transvestite in Morocco. Since some police elements revealed his identity when he was arrested following a traffic accident, wearing women’s clothes, the latter says he is persecuted and can no longer even go out to eat. "My life has become a disaster, a (…)

• African Diaspora in France: 40% Ready to Return for Career Opportunities
  29 November 2019, by Rédacteur

  The survey on "The professional attractiveness of the African continent for graduates and executives of the diaspora" reveals that 40% of Africans living in France are ready to return to work in Africa immediately.
  A survey conducted in this perspective by the "Intelcia" group and the "Innocence Consulting" study firm, carried out among 800 people, has clearly demonstrated this.
  The entrepreneurial adventure is clearly the primary professional motivation factor for a return to Africa (…)

• Moroccans Lead in Acquiring Spanish Citizenship, Outpacing Other Nationalities
  18 February 2020, by Bladi.net

  Once again this year, Moroccans are far ahead of all nationalities when it comes to obtaining Spanish citizenship.
  Among the countries whose citizens have most acquired Spanish nationality, Morocco is in the lead with 25,315 people out of the 90,774 foreigners. This is followed by countries such as Bolivia (8,157), Ecuador (7,988), Colombia (6,826), the Dominican Republic (4,933), Peru (3,273), Cuba (2,684), Paraguay (2,504), Brazil (2,152) and Pakistan (2,058). The percentage of foreign (…)

• Spanish-Born Activist Finally Votes After Years of Fighting for Citizenship Rights
  21 May 2023, by Prince

  Born in Spain to Moroccan parents, Safia El Aaddam has not exercised her right to vote since reaching the age of majority because she does not have Spanish nationality. On May 28, she will finally be able to vote for the first time.
  Safia El Aaddam launched the "Te cedo mi voto" campaign in 2019 to denounce cases of citizens like her who, although born in Spain, cannot vote because they do not have Spanish nationality. On May 28, she will exercise her right to vote for the first time, but (…)

• France Resumes Family Reunification Visas After Legal Challenges
  30 November 2020, by Jérôme

  France no longer issues visas to foreigners concerned by family reunification. Annoyed by the situation, families have taken legal action and are beginning to obtain satisfaction.
  In the matter of family reunification, French consulates have ceased issuing visas since last March, even if the files are each time processed by the prefectures. If, after the first deconfinement, in May, the French government resumed the issuance of visas to French spouses and students, nothing has been said (…)