In France, Immigrant Students Expelled Immediately After High School Graduation
Sophie Stuber, Phineas Rueckert
In Saint-Denis, a poor Paris suburb, immigrant-background students face deportation orders immediately after high school graduation. Some have lived in France for years but lack proper visas. The situation has drawn criticism as administrative hurdles and policy changes worsen their plight.
Paris, France – In Saint-Denis, a northern suburb of Paris that is among the poorest in France, many students from immigrant families have just graduated from technical high schools. Instead of job opportunities, some are receiving deportation orders.
In April, Mariem (19), enrolled in a two-year BTS nursing program, received notification of a letter at the post office. It was an 'Obligation de Quitter le Territoire Francais' (OQTF). 'I feel sad, I don't know what to do. I think I'm really depressed,' Mariem said. She came to France from Tunisia in 2019 at age 12 and had studied seven years at middle and technical high school.
Mohammed (19), studying for a BTS in electrical engineering, arrived from Morocco at 14 with his family. In September, he received an OQTF from the French Interior Ministry, claiming he lacked a valid visa and did not attend school—which he denies. 'I was shocked, disappointed. I sat on the bench, stared, and wondered why,' Mohammed recounted.
According to an Al Jazeera investigation, dozens of students in Saint-Denis are either undocumented or have been deported. A school counselor at a vocational school estimates about 50 students are undocumented or have been expelled due to procedural failures. These students fall into a 'gray area' because they arrived in France with their parents on tourist visas, not student visas. Once they turn 18, they lose protection despite strong ties to France.
In January 2025, Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau reduced the number of work permits for graduating high school students to tackle a backlog of applications. However, visa issuance nationwide dropped by over 40%, and work visas by more than 50%. In 2023-2024, France issued the most deportation orders in the European Union. In Saint-Denis, the average processing time for residence permits is 145 days, compared to 117 days across France. Some students have waited up to three years.
Deportation orders often stem from administrative errors, confusing procedures, or language barriers. Lawyer Samy Djemaoun argues that 'many OQTF should never have existed. Situations are artificially created to justify repression.' The French Interior Ministry defends the measures, saying all residence permit applications are processed according to law. On January 6, the Seine-Saint-Denis departmental council signed a protocol allowing early consideration for unaccompanied minors in the welfare system.
Other students, like Ghada (22), have not received deportation orders but remain in limbo, unable to continue studies or work due to lack of work permits. She came from Tunisia in 2019 and excels in IT. 'I want to go far, I want an engineering degree, why not a PhD?' Ghada said. She cannot take exams for engineering schools because she lacks a residence permit. 'We cannot speak out because of our illegal status.'
In Saint-Denis, the election of left-wing mayor Bally Bagayoko (of Malian origin) in late March brought hope. He and community representatives organized a 'citizen twinning' ceremony—undocumented students are sponsored by politicians for the right to stay in France. Mohammed attended and said, 'It's good to know someone is behind you and you are not alone.'
