Officials from the French government have relocated hundreds of migrants from Paris to other cities in preparation for the upcoming Olympics. On April 17, authorities asked immigrants living in an abandoned office building on the outskirts of Paris to board buses and travel to central cities Orleans or Bordeaux in the southwest. This building housed over 450 immigrants, most of whom had legal documents and were awaiting social housing.
Charities have accused officials of trying to push homeless people out of the capital in order to clear space for the Olympics. Some residents left the building earlier in the week, with about 300 people carrying luggage leaving on April 17 under supervision from 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 either 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.