Paris — French police removed around 500 migrants, mostly Afghans but some Africans, from a makeshift tent encampment in central Paris at dawn Monday.
In the operation near Canal Saint Martin, buses transported the migrants to lodgings around the Paris region where they can pursue asylum requests.
Some of the migrants were hopeful the move will help them get certainty about their future.
James Okafor, who said he fled his home country of Nigeria after being attacked, said he “will be very happy to leave the camp” because it will help him meet officials who will decide if he can stay in France.
Others, like an Afghan who gave his name only as Desajan, was apprehensive. “All people in here don’t know other languages – French, English – they don’t know what to do,” he said.
A smaller camp at Porte de Poissonniere was also cleared out Monday morning.
Deputy Paris Mayor For Emergency Housing Ian Brossat said “the large majority” from the Paris camps “will see their asylum rights recognized in one of the European countries.”