Hundreds of migrants living in an abandoned office building on the outskirts of Paris have been relocated to other cities in preparation for the Olympics. On April 17, authorities asked immigrants living in the building to board buses and travel to central city Orleans or Bordeaux in the southwest. This building is home to 450 immigrants, most of whom have legal documents and are waiting for social housing.
Charities have accused authorities of trying to push homeless people out of the capital to make way for the Olympics, which will take place from July 26 to August 11. Some residents left the building earlier in the week, with about 300 people carrying luggage leaving on the morning of April 17 under the supervision of riot police. Most of them were young men, but there were also mothers with small children.
Immigration officials met with individuals to explain their situation in French or English and tried to persuade some to relocate to Bordeaux, citing opportunities outside of Paris. The 2024 Paris Olympics are expected to attract thousands of athletes and visitors from around the world, with a significant security presence in place. France will deploy tens of thousands of police, private security officers, and military soldiers daily during the two-week event.
