ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

France Threatens to Revoke Migration Pact with Algeria Over Deportation Refusal

other · 2026-07-16

Tens of thousands of Algerians live illegally in France, but the Algerian regime consistently refuses to take back even dangerous criminals. Now Paris is threatening to terminate a historic agreement. The article also discusses the psychological tactics of Islamists, who are described as 'engineers of guilt' exploiting Western vulnerabilities. The piece profiles 'Harraga'—men who burn their papers and are stuck between two countries, despised by both France and Algeria.

Key facts

  • Tens of thousands of Algerians live without residency permits in France.
  • Algeria refuses to repatriate even dangerous criminals.
  • France threatens to cancel a historic bilateral agreement.
  • Islamists are described as 'engineers of guilt' who know Western weaknesses.
  • The term 'Harraga' refers to those who burn their documents and are trapped between nations.
  • Both France and Algeria hold contempt for the Harraga.
  • The article is a report from visits with men stuck between the two countries.
  • The source is NZZ Feuilleton.

Entities

Institutions

  • NZZ Feuilleton

Locations

  • France
  • Algeria
  • Algiers
  • Paris

Sources