In 2020, less than 10% of OQTFs (Orders to leave French territory) were applied. Gérald Darmanin announced on Tuesday the presentation “at the start of the school year in September” of a law to lift “all legislative reservations” preventing the expulsion of foreign offenders from the territory.
Under “these reservations”, the Minister of the Interior, who was the guest of RTL, cited the fact “of having contracted a marriage” or of having arrived in the territory “before a certain age”.
While President Emmanuel Macron has pledged that OQTF will be applied 100%, Gérald Darmanin argued that there had been progress “for two years”, the date of his arrival at the Interior, agreeing that there were improvements to be made in this area.
“Our hand does not shake”
“In the first half (2022), he said, we increased by 25%” expulsions with 9,685 exits from the territory (forced and assisted removals), according to the ministry. “We have increased by 50% to certain countries in the Maghreb and Africa”, continued Gérald Darmanin.
The minister underlined that when it comes to deporting foreign offenders, France does not deport to countries where war is raging, such as Syria or Afghanistan. “For two years, continued Gérald Darmanin, 2,751 foreign offenders have been expelled, 770 as responsible for drug trafficking, 900 for domestic violence”.
The Ministry of the Interior specified that “since October 2020”, France had removed “2,751 perpetrators of disturbances to public order, including 25% of perpetrators of drug trafficking and 35% of attacks on persons (violence intra-family, sexual offences, etc.). 770 foreigners known for acts of radicalization”. “Our hand is not shaking,” the minister said.