73 out of 75 Haitians who arrived on December 23 and 26 in Paris, with only a transit visas to continue their studies in Benin, were released this week by the judges, for procedural flaws and mainly because they had family in France and they had, in this regard, a "sufficient guarantees of representation".

A safe conduct valid for eight days, their was issued to enable them to take steps to obtain residence permits or political asylum in order to stay in France.

In addition to these 73 people released, a young infant was placed in foster home while another returned to the waiting area for identity verification.

In front of the Court of Appeal of Paris, the prosecutor stressed that all these Haitians were provided with visas to study in Benin and demanded their return in the waiting area, estimating it was a "organized network of illegal emigration."

Freedom and family found, but also the beginning of a real "obstacle course" for our compatriots. Obtain a residence permit under the conditions "very particular" of their arrival on French territory, or political asylum will not be easy.

Indeed, 3 of those Haitians who had applied for political asylum, have seen their request refused. They filed an appeal Friday morning, with the Paris Administrative Court which, as regards request for protection at the borders, has jurisdiction over the whole French territory. The court has 72 hours to decide. In the event of unfavorable judgments, the plaintiffs have 15 days to challenge this decision in front the Administrative Court of Appeal.

See also:

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-1996-haiti-france-75-haitians-arrested-at-the-airport-of-orly-and-charles-de-gaulle.html

HL/ HaitiLibre