A New Immigration Crisis or Just Old Colonial Wounds?
A new diplomatic war is brewing between France and Algeria, but the battleground isn’t just immigration it’s power, pride, and history.
At the heart of the latest feud is a list of 60 Algerians that France’s Interior Ministry is seeking to deport, individuals it claims have a “dangerous profile.” However, Algeria has outright rejected the list and accused France of bypassing proper diplomatic procedures and violating these individuals’ rights.
But is this about due process, or is Algeria using this crisis to push back against its former colonizer? And is France truly concerned about security, or is it leveraging migration policy to strong-arm Algeria into political concessions?
France’s Unprecedented Move: Weaponizing Deportations?
France’s list of deportees includes individuals convicted of serious crimes, such as:
Yet, this move isn’t just about law enforcement. It marks the first time France has publicly compiled and transmitted a list of individuals slated for deportation, signaling a more aggressive stance.
The reality? Less than 10% of France’s expulsion orders result in deportation due to legal roadblocks and resistance from home countries. Algeria, seeing France’s push as an attempt to assert dominance, is refusing to comply.
Algeria Fights Back: Resistance or Political Strategy?
Algeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a sharp rebuke, rejecting Paris’s “threats, ultimatums, and coercive language”. Algerian officials argue that the individuals on the list deserve fair trials rather than forced repatriation.
But beyond legal concerns, this is about sovereignty. Algeria’s leadership, facing internal political and economic discontent, may use this standoff to reinforce nationalist sentiment and rally public opinion against France.
Algeria’s refusal to accept deportees is not new. It is a pattern a symbolic rejection of France’s continued influence over its former colony.
The Feud Runs Deeper: A Diplomatic Freefall
The current crisis is just the latest flashpoint in an increasingly hostile relationship between Paris and Algiers. The two nations have historically cooperated on migration, security, and trade, but relations have hit an all-time low under Emmanuel Macron and Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.
Tensions have escalated over:
French politicians, including conservatives aligned with Macron, have accused Algeria of trying to “humiliate” France and are now calling for drastic retaliatory measures, including revoking Algerians’ special immigration status and even recalling France’s ambassador from Algiers.
A Political Gamble with Global Repercussions
This isn’t just a bilateral feud; it has wider geopolitical consequences.
At its core, the question remains: Is this about deporting 60 individuals, or is France and Algeria’s fractured relationship spiraling into something much bigger?
With both nations refusing to back down, this diplomatic battle is far from over, and it could reshape North African-European relations in ways neither side is fully prepared for.
