Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez told Europe 1/CNews on 7 May that France has resumed enforced returns of Algerian nationals after a year-long freeze linked to diplomatic tensions. Since his visit to Algiers in February, Algerian authorities have issued 120 consular laissez-passers, enabling more than 140 expulsions of migrants under an obligation to leave French territory (OQTF). Rapprochement follows months of behind-the-scenes talks to unblock cooperation that collapsed in 2025 when France slashed visa issuance to Algerians in retaliation for their country’s refusal to take back deportees. The resumption matters to employers because Algeria is France’s third-largest source of work-permit holders outside the EU; smoother administrative channels could speed up both removals and legitimate visa processing. Nuñez also revealed that Algerian nationals account for roughly one-third of occupants in France’s detention centres—an indicator the government will likely use to justify the Rodwell Bill’s longer retention periods. Companies with Algerian assignees should monitor processing times: in past thaw periods, French consulates accelerated work-visa appointments to show goodwill. For mobility planners, the practical effect is twofold: tighter enforcement against overstays (risk of sudden removal) but potentially faster issuance of new visas and travel documents as bilateral channels reopen. Employers are urged to audit Algerian staff for compliance and to brief travellers on carrying proof of legal stay at all times.
Source: Le Journal du Dimanche
