Undocumented Immigrants in France Resist COVID Tests to Avoid Deportation

"Detainees refuse to be tested because they are beginning to understand that a negative test can allow the administration to deport them," explains David Rohi, head of detention at the Cimade association, to the newspaper Libération. He is a great support for foreigners in an irregular situation.

One detainee tested positive for the coronavirus on September 1 at the CRA in Rouen-Oissel (Seine-Maritime). He was isolated before being transferred to Vincennes (Val-de-Marne). That day, Karim refused to take the Covid-19 test. "If the prefecture learns that I am negative, they will take me on a flight to Morocco," he had feared. A few days later, some detainees expressed their willingness to be tested. This turnaround is due to the fact that one of them was sent to prison for refusing the test.

However, Karim’s refusal is justified. "In principle, the inviolability of the body should allow to refuse any intrusion not decided by a judge," indicates Patrick Berdugo, lawyer and representative of the Adde (Lawyers for the Defense of the Rights of Foreigners). "But there are consequences." One of the consequences is deportation. Refusal can be considered obstruction of justice. Several have already paid the price. In early September, a Tunisian detainee in Rennes was sentenced to two months in prison for preventing his removal by refusing to take the test.

Some contacted detainees explained that they refused the test to denounce their living conditions: "We are two to six people per room," Karim describes. "People continue to be locked up when there are virtually no deportations possible. And since it is very difficult to maintain social distancing, it is taking the risk of exposing detainees and officials to the disease," fumes Mr. Rohi angrily.