« I am Algerian and French, it is not a question of papers » – Liberation

Green passports in one hand, consular registration cards in the other, Ali comes out of his appointment at the Consulate General of Algeria, in the 11th arrondissement of Paris, the spirit « calm ». Expressed, his identity documents had to be renewed for a few months already. Despite a slight and almost traditional delay, most of the administrative procedures went smoothly. Which has not always been the case. If he has lived in France since 1966, the former employee in the hotel industry only managed to obtain French nationality until 2008, after having suffered two refusals. « And I would never have succeeded without the help of my lawyer »recognizes the binational septuagenarian, glasses on the nose.

Ali has four children. All were born in Algeria, but only two managed to join France. « I don't know why, some visas have been refused, others accepted. With a French father, they must be afraid that they will stay here. ” Face to increasing diplomatic tensions between the two countriesAli says he is especially worried about his 23 -year -old younger daughter, who studies in Paris. « If access to visas are restricted and his is not renewed, what will she do? » He himself dreads to one day have to return to his pa