Moroccan Man’s Visa Denied Over Radical Facebook Posts, Ordered to Leave France

This 31-year-old man saw his dream shattered because of his positions on his Facebook account. His residence permit was not renewed. Worse, he was ordered to leave French territory within one month. The young Moroccan learned, at his own expense, that social networks are not the ideal place to air his grievances. According to the courts, this young man was manifesting on his Facebook account his affiliation "with a significant number of people belonging to the radical Islamist movement".

Becoming a threat, he was asked to leave French territory. The applicant’s many appeals unfortunately did not help his case. The decision of the Paris Court of Appeal was finally handed down on July 12, 2019. The justice system established the threat he represents to public order on French territory.

This judgment, based on the publications and statements made on social networks, is not a first. Many other people have been denied French citizenship because of their writings on social networks.