In Saint-Denis, a gritty northern suburb of Paris and one of France’s poorest areas, dozens of children of immigrants are graduating from technical high schools. But instead of job offers, some are receiving deportation orders.
Mariem, 19, who arrived from Tunisia in 2019 at age 12, is studying medicine in a two-year vocational BTS program. In April, she received an “Obligation de Quitter le Territoire Francais” (OQTF) — a deportation order. “I was sad. I didn’t know what to do. I think I was actually depressed,” she told Al Jazeera.
Mohammed, 19, who arrived from Morocco at 14 with his family, is enrolled in an electrical engineering BTS. In September, he returned from vacation to a similar letter. The Interior Ministry claimed he lacked proper visa and was not enrolled in school, which he says is false.
Al Jazeera spoke with five students, school staff, and immigration experts who confirmed that despite exemptions for students training for understaffed jobs, some are being ordered to leave. An academic adviser in Saint-Denis estimated 50 students were undocumented or deported due to paperwork issues, with a dozen other schools facing similar challenges.
In January 2025, then-Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau reduced work permits for graduates. Overall visa issuance dropped by over 40% and work visas by over 50%. From 2023 to 2024, France issued more deportation orders than any other EU country.
Average processing time for a residence permit in Saint-Denis is 145 days, compared to 117 across France. Some students wait up to three years. Even in high-demand fields like construction and nursing, students have received OQTFs.
Immigration lawyer Samy Djemaoun said many OQTFs result from administrative errors or language barriers. “Many OQTFs should never have existed. The prefecture creates bureaucratic labyrinths,” he said.
The Interior Ministry defended its measures, stating all applications are processed lawfully. However, France’s Council of State ruled on May 5 that the government must fix the online residence permit platform within six months, citing malfunctions.
Ghada, 22, from Tunisia, excels in IT but has been unable to obtain a residence permit for three years despite working with a lawyer. She needs it to sit for engineering school exams. “I want to go far. Why not a doctorate?” she said.
In Saint-Denis, the election of left-wing mayor Bally Bagayoko brought hope. Last month, a “civic pairing” ceremony was held where French politicians sponsored undocumented technical school students. Mohammed called it “nerve-racking, but it’s good to know you have backing.”
Source: www.aljazeera.com