French Guiana attracts tide of immigrants
Porous borders and “liberal” laws turn French region in South America into a gateway to Europe.
Published On 19 Nov 2011
French Guiana, an overseas region of France on the northern Atlantic coast of South America, appears to be a magnet for illegal immigrants from all over the world.
The 2,000km-long frontier of French Guiana – which consists of a single department – is bordered between Suriname and Brazil by rivers, making its borders porous and difficult to police.
These factors, as well as what local politician Paulin Brune calls “liberal” French immigration laws, have made the region a gateway to Europe.
Al Jazeera’s Anand Naidoo reports from Cayenne, French Guiana’s capital.
Source: Al Jazeera