Between racism and prejudice, mixed marriages facing French town halls

French women wishing to marry Moroccans, Algerians or other people of foreign nationality must overcome major obstacles. They come up against opposition from certain administrative employees and mayors.

“The official was very arrogant. From the outset, he tells me that he will not take my file,” explains to Louane* StreetPress. In 2019, this psychology student went to the town hall of the 15th arrondissement of Paris with her marriage file. She had met Abdel* during her vacation in Morocco. After four years of relationship and the difficulty for her boyfriend to obtain a visa for France, they decided, during the summer of 2018, to officially begin their life together in Paris. An obstacle course for Louane. The official’s arrogance does not, however, dampen the young woman’s morale. She shows him the text of the law which authorizes him to file the marriage application in the absence of the future spouse. The administrative employee finally gave in. However, he would have given his opinion on mixed unions. “I know couples like you: it won’t work and in three years you will be divorced,” comments the official.