Paris Evacuates Around 300 Migrants from Multiple Camps Amid Housing Struggles
Paris authorities evacuated around 300 migrants from city camps on November 5, relocating many but revealing ongoing housing challenges for the displaced population.
- • Approximately 300 migrants evacuated on November 5, 2025, from camps in Paris.
- • 221 migrants offered temporary accommodation; 50 refused assistance.
- • Migrants mainly from Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa, many wish to stay in Paris due to work or schooling.
- • Médecins du Monde reports tents reappearing soon after evacuation, indicating persistent housing issues.
- • Nearly 500 similar evacuation operations since 2015 highlight ongoing migrant shelter challenges.
Key details
On November 5, 2025, approximately 300 migrants were evacuated from several camps located between the Jaurès, Stalingrad, and Porte de la Chapelle metro stations in Paris. The operation, overseen by a commanding police force and agents from the Île-de-France prefecture and the City of Paris, was conducted peacefully and in an orderly manner. Of those evacuated, 221 migrants were assisted and transported to temporary accommodation centers in Bourges, Besançon, and Toulouse, while 50 individuals declined assistance and left the area.
These migrants primarily originate from Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa. Many expressed a strong desire to remain in Paris due to personal and economic reasons. For example, May, a 33-year-old Sudanese woman, chose to stay in the city to continue her daughter's schooling alongside her job search. Similarly, Ali, a 23-year-old Afghan security guard, highlighted his need to remain in Paris despite difficulties in securing housing.
The association Médecins du Monde reported a worrying trend as tents were seen reappearing at Porte de la Chapelle within hours of the evacuation, underscoring the persistent and unresolved issue of migrant homelessness in Paris. Paul Alauzy of Médecins du Monde noted that nearly 500 similar evacuation operations have taken place since 2015, yet the underlying housing challenges remain largely unaddressed, leaving migrants vulnerable and without stable shelter.
This latest evacuation highlights an ongoing struggle in Paris to manage migrant housing needs amid limited resources and complex social dynamics, emphasizing the need for sustainable solutions to support this vulnerable population.