The Boundaries of « Fake » Marriage. Otherness and Tactics of Resistance of Binational Couples in France

Secular Bodies, Affects and Emotions

“…According to this document, marriage is 'primarily' about 'living together and sharing family life' (Ministère de la Justice 2010), so that unions contracted with an eye to other benefits, including citizenship, can be considered fraudulent and then impeded or annulled (see Robledo 2011). 10 A handful of scholars have examined these laws (see Cole 2014;Fassin 2010Fassin , 2014Robledo 2011), but there was little governmental debate or media attention prior to their passing (Le Monde 2006). In addition to segregated questioning at mayors' offices and in French consulates, surveillance extends to unannounced follow-up visits to couples' homes.…”

« Il me donne des papiers, je le sers »

“…Demander le divorce même des années après et pour des motifs légitimes risquerait de réactiver un tel décryptage de la part de nombreux acteurs : le mari, les institutions, l'entourage amical, professionnel ou familial mais surtout elles-mêmes. Ainsi le stigmate social lié au mariage de complaisance limite leurs options, bien que ce soit pour des raisons très différentes de celles analysées auprès des autres couples binationaux (Fleischer, 2007 ;Odasso, 2013 ;Salcedo, 2011Salcedo, , 2012.…”

Working Mis/Understandings: The Tangled Relationship between Kinship, Franco-Malagasy Binational Marriages, and the French State

“…. we have to acknowledge that increasing numbers of cases of fraudulent marriages have been brought to our attention by mayors and consular officers” (cited in Robledo , 1; translation mine). To prevent abuse and reduce the number of visas granted, the administration extended the probationary period during which a foreign spouse is granted a temporary visa, making it harder for that person to work.…”