Stéphane Demilly's Proposal to Ban Marriages Involving Individuals Under Deportation Orders Advances in Senate

Senator Stéphane Demilly of the Union of Democrats and Independents (UDI) has proposed legislation to restrict marriages in France exclusively to French citizens or foreigners who are legally residing within the country. This law aims to prevent marriages involving individuals subject to an obligation to leave French territory (OQTF), thereby curbing what Demilly describes as "simulated or arranged" marriages.

The Senate has approved Demilly's proposal, but it still awaits passage in the National Assembly. In an interview with Le Figaro, Demilly highlighted a recent case involving Olivier Bourjot, the mayor of Chessy, who was ordered by the court to officiate a marriage between two individuals despite one being under an OQTF. Demilly emphasized, "If my law had been enacted, such a marriage could not have been celebrated," adding, "How can an official read the law to someone who has no right to be here?" He expressed concern over the difficulty in distinguishing genuine marriages from those conducted for immigration advantages under the current system.

This legislative initiative reflects an ongoing effort to reinforce immigration controls by regulating the validity of marriages that involve individuals not authorized to remain in France. While the Senate's approval marks a significant step, the proposal's future hinges on the National Assembly's decision.