Record 41 French Citizenships Revoked in 2024, Mostly North African Immigrants

In 2024, 41 people lost their French nationality, a record number, according to the French media Les Jours. Most of the people affected by this measure are from Maghreb countries, particularly Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia, it is specified.

Provided for by Article 25 of the Civil Code, the revocation of French nationality mainly applies to individuals who have acquired French nationality and have committed serious acts, such as terrorist attacks. It primarily concerns people of foreign origin. Cases of individuals with French nationality by birth can also be considered in exceptional circumstances.

The law was strengthened by the government after the 2015 attacks. Since then, the procedure has been extended to people involved in attacks on French soil or linked to terrorist activities abroad. A rare occurrence: it also happens that members of the French government request this measure to be applied to people who are not convicted of serious criminal acts. This is the case of Rima Hassan, a Member of the European Parliament for La France Insoumise. In March 2024, Patrick Mignola, French Minister for Relations with Parliament, and François-Noël Buffet, French Minister attached to the Minister of the Interior, mentioned the possibility of revoking her nationality after she expressed statements deemed as an apology for terrorism. This measure could therefore be used for political purposes.