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Manuel Bompard, national coordinator of La France Insoumise (LFI) and MP for Marseille, has raised fresh concerns over delays and dysfunctions in the renewal of residence permits at the Bouches-du-Rhône prefecture, echoing growing alarm among local civil society groups.
In a recent social media post, Bompard pointed to the «numerous desperate pleas from individuals whose residence permits have expired or are about to expire, and who receive no response from the prefecture despite submitting their applications on time». He warned that these delays are leading to «serious consequences, such as the loss of employment or housing».
In response, the MP called on the prefecture to «put in place measures to safeguard the fundamental rights of foreigners in France». He notably advocated for the automatic renewal of temporary residence permits, the reopening of in-person counters, consultations with local stakeholders, and the cancellation of deportation orders (OQTF) issued due to failures in the digital system.
Letter from collectives, associations, and lawyersLetter from collectives, associations, and lawyers
His remarks reflect concerns raised in a letter signed by around twenty Marseille-based associations, collectives, and legal professionals, denouncing what they describe as «systemic failures in the prefecture’s foreign nationals service».
The signatories highlight the «extreme and absurd difficulties in applying for and renewing residence permits», worsened by the «forced digitalization of procedures through an unreliable online platform, with no alternative access points».
They argue that this shift was implemented «without consultation with support organizations or proper information for users» regarding the Digital Administration for Foreigners in France (ANEF), the official portal for residence permit and naturalization procedures.
An issue raised with the government for months
The letter also points to the limited effectiveness of the «ANEF Blockage» mechanism, which is supposed to provide appointments in cases of confirmed digital failure, but reportedly works in only «1% to 2% of cases» among professionals.
Last month, Stéphane Peu, MP for Seine-Saint-Denis (PCF–New Popular Front), questioned the Minister of the Interior about these «dysfunctions in prefectural services» and the persistent issues affecting digital platforms for residence permit applications.
According to Peu, the digitalization of procedures has left «more than half of applicants facing insurmountable difficulties», a situation that the Defender of Rights has described as a «massive violation of foreigners’ rights».
He also recalled having raised these systemic issues repeatedly since 2017, citing «an inaccessible digital platform, a lack of available appointments, a total absence of human assistance, and excessively long processing times».
«I recently met a holder of a 10-year residence permit, employed at Enedis for 15 years, who lost his job because his permit was not renewed on time. Despite hours of waiting outside prefectures, in all weather, nothing changes. This administrative system is creating undocumented individuals, humiliating families and workers, and damaging the image of our public services», he said.
Appointment booking, «a lucrative market of misery»
Peu further argued that the system has fueled «a lucrative market of misery», with private actors offering paid services to secure appointments.
The Interior Ministry acknowledged the existence of «intermediaries offering to assist foreign nationals», noting that while the practice is not illegal, measures are being implemented to curb the mass reservation and resale of appointment slots. According to the ministry, «initial feedback from prefectures suggests these measures are effective».
An action plan to address these dysfunctions has been in place since 2022 under the General Directorate for Foreigners in France. Meanwhile, the Federation of Solidarity Actors (FAS), along with nine other organizations, has taken legal action on the issue.
On March 27, 2025, they brought the case before the Council of State, denouncing «massive and recurring dysfunctions» in the ANEF platform. The appeal highlights a «serious failure» to meet obligations, including «ensuring normal access to public services» and «guaranteeing the effective exercise of users’ rights».
