Editorial: Liberation

• Abou Sangare, a young undocumented Guinean, has lived in Amiens for seven years amidst three denials to his regularization applications, despite a permanent contract offer from a local company.
• Sangare was acclaimed at Cannes on receiving the Best Actor award, which is ironic given the political climate in France with regards to migration.
• In the wake of his Cannes success, Sangare has been informed that he can make a new regularization application.
• There are many individuals in similar situations to Sangare without the benefit of media recognition.
• Many undocumented immigrants who are integrated into society and have jobs and families, live with the constant threat of deportation.
• The head of Medef warned in December that France will need nearly 4 million foreign workers to maintain its economic and social models by 2050.

Conclusion: Sangare's story reflects the reality of many undocumented immigrants in France and certainly underscores the need for more humane and inclusive policies on immigration.

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