“She's the fall guy”: her visa expired, she became pregnant and was not sent back to Gabon

Me Joris Numas, counsel for the accused. Midi Libre – ALEXIS BETHUNE

La bâtonnière Claire Sadoul, avocate du père, a obtenu sa relaxe pour l’ensemble des faits. Midi Libre – ALEXIS BETHUNE

Un couple mis en cause pour avoir tenté de contourner la loi sur l’immigration.

This Friday, the couple, formed by Jérôme, 57, a French citizen and Nancy, 23, originally from Gabon, now separated, appear before the Alès judicial court. The facts date back to 2020, during the lockdown period.

The alarms go off when the administration receives the application for a national identity card and passport. The prefecture considers the couple's situation suspicious.

The administration, however, processes the application for papers, but notes that the young woman does not have a residence permit. She and her partner have a 34-year age difference and no longer live together.

The Alès public prosecutor's office is being contacted for offences related to the fraudulent obtaining of administrative documents and the recognition of a child in order to obtain French nationality. An investigation is being opened.

Nancy is questioned under police custody. In the proceedings, she admits that she arrived in France with a three-month visa issued by the International Football Federation (FIFA). She is said to have an assistant position with the Gabonese women's football team. Problem: this team has not participated in any competitions.

“With a child, she knows that she can no longer be sent back”

When her residence permit expires, the young woman meets Jérôme. He is not aware of her administrative situation. A relationship begins. It will last a little over three months.

"I didn't want anything serious, explains the defendant at the bar, since in Gabon I left my husband and my four children. When it was time to leave, I got pregnant and because there was Covid, I couldn't return to Gabon."

Regarding the visa, Nancy explains that she paid 2,300 euros to obtain the famous sesame.
"When I learned that she was in an irregular situation, I proposed marriage to her since it was the only solution to regularize the situation, but she refused", summarizes the former companion.

Today, their daughter is three years old. “We are separated, but we have stayed in touch”, explains the man who continues to financially support the mother and child.

“She is the turkey of the farce,ton Quentin Larroque, deputy prosecutor in his requisitions. The woman's plan has always been to enter France. There was a short-term relationship to settle in the territory. Now, there is a child, she knows very well that she can no longer be sent back. He thought that it was a lasting relationship, he is involved in the education of the child. I request that he be acquitted. For her, I request a 10-month suspended prison sentence since she lied. Instead of saying “I was duped by a corrupt official and paid 2,300 euros” for a visa”, she will claim that she is accompanying the national football team, which did not qualify for the World Cup.”

Lawyers highlight the repeal of the laws

Me Claire Sadoul, counsel for Jérôme, contests the offenses attributed to the father: “The laws have been repealed. Furthermore, he is indeed the father. It is a biological reality. He assumes his role.”

Me Joris Numa, lawyer for Nancy, also raises the problem of the charges retained: “She is being prosecuted for offenses that no longer exist. She was defrauded and there is no evidence that she is responsible for the false visa and false reservations for an Air France flight and a Parisian hotel."

The court confirms the father's acquittal, partially acquits the mother but sentences her to a four-month suspended sentence for fraudulently obtaining an entry visa to France.

Now comes the thorny issue of family reunification for the family still in Gabon.

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