32 Haitians who wanted to join family in France were arrested last Thursday. 16 Haitian citizens at Orly airport and 16 others at Charles de Gaulle airport where they were placed in the waiting area. 43 other Haitians were arrested Sunday at the Charles de Gaulle airport in similar irregular conditions.

These Haitians arrived with visas for travel to Benin. They were arrested by officials of the border police (PAF) who suspected them of using transit visas to settle illegally in France.

The immigration authorities believe that these trips are not spontaneous and that there is probably an organizer, a pathway behind these trips, pointing out that these people can be legally held in the waiting area at the airport until 96 hours, then they are presented to a judge who decides their continuation on French territory or their eviction.

On Monday, several Haitians have appeared before judges. In Bobigny, the judge ordered the release of 16 of them, in Créteil the judge decided to release 14 of them for procedural defects or because of their guaranteed of representation. The prosecution has appealed this decision, justifying that they "do not have papers in good and due form, and therefore can not settle in France". Those in custody are not allowed to enter in French territory, but they can apply for political asylum.

"We can not congratulate on one side the children accommodated before the cameras and on the other side keep in the waiting area, before their eviction, those who wish to join their families" denounced Richard Moyon, a militant of the Association Network Education Without Borders (RESF).

HL/ HaitiLibre