Young migrant sleeping in a Paris park: when precarity invades the city of lights
The reality of young migrants isolated in Paris is far from idyllic: every night, they find themselves on the street, looking for a place to sleep. Among them, around 200 young people from West Africa often meet at Belleville Park, in the north of Paris. After living for several weeks in an abandoned school in the 16th arrondissement, they once again found themselves homeless following its closure last June.
The scene takes place every evening. While the terraces of Parisian bars are filling up and Parisians are enjoying their evening, these young migrants are heading towards Belleville park. Discreetly, they grab their belongings, hidden behind bushes and benches, and settle down for the night. Mattresses, plastic bags, blankets are their only comfort for spending the night.
Among these young people, Mohamed, a 16-year-old Guinean, is used to life on the street. Since his arrival in France last March, he has spent most of his nights outdoors. First on the Bercy esplanade, then in the disused school in the 16th arrondissement, and now at Belleville park for several months. His situation is far from unique; many other young migrants find themselves in the same precarious situation.
These young unaccompanied migrants lived in the abandoned school for two and a half months, before being evacuated by the associations which managed the site. But this closure has left many young people without an accommodation solution. While waiting for the authorities to recognize their minority, they are left to their own devices, wandering the streets of Paris.
At night, they found refuge in Belleville Park. But in the morning, they are woken up by the police and have to pack up, clean the area and prepare for another day in precarious conditions.
The situation of these young migrants highlights the difficulties of caring for unaccompanied minors in Paris. The associations are calling for better support from the State for these young people awaiting recognition of their minority.
This sad observation highlights the urgency of concrete action to help these young people in situations of great vulnerability. It is essential to put in place appropriate responses to offer them dignified housing and social and legal support in order to help them rebuild their lives in a safe environment.
The situation of young isolated migrants in Paris is an issue that requires collective mobilization. It is time to become aware of the reality of these young people, to offer them a better future and to make Paris a city where everyone has their place, whatever their origin.