Elsa Faucillon Launches "Débloque ta préf'" Campaign to Advocate for Immigrant Residency Rights

Communist MP Elsa Faucillon has initiated the "Débloque ta préf'" campaign to combat bureaucratic hurdles preventing immigrants in France from obtaining residency permits. Launched amid rising concerns over administrative delays, the campaign seeks to highlight how these obstacles leave many immigrants vulnerable, impacting their jobs and access to essential social services.

Faucillon expressed that numerous individuals face dire consequences due to inefficiencies in the residency permit application process, which can lead to job losses and deny access to housing benefits. "This is not only an issue for my constituency but a widespread problem across France, exacerbated by austerity measures and increased anti-immigrant sentiment," she stated.

As part of the campaign, a petition will be collected to document personal stories and raise awareness of the everyday challenges immigrants face. Faucillon also emphasizes the need for better physical reception services in prefectures, alongside issuing provisional residency documents to help applicants navigate the complexities of their situations. She criticized the current reliance on digital processes, which often contribute to the invisibility of applicants. Although some efforts to increase staffing in these offices have been made, they remain inadequate to meet the growing demand. The campaign aims to deliver the petition to the Ministry of the Interior by the end of September 2025, pressing for necessary reforms to improve the residency permit system.