Case study n.2

Case study n.2: Ivorian immigrant, involved by no fault of his own in a car accident, is subjected first to immigration control that seemed irrelevant in the context

Case study n.2

OVERVIEW OF THE SITUATION.

In this compelling case study, we delve into the experiences of Martin Allou, a long-term resident migrant from West Africa, who finds himself entangled in an unexpected and challenging situation. While commuting to work one day, Martin becomes an unwitting participant in a car accident involving two other vehicles, setting the stage for a sequence of events that shed light on the complexities immigrants may face in their daily lives.

Timeline of the police stop

Click on the numbers to collect info on the case.

01

Emergency Response

02

Martin Allou's Turn with the Police

03

Disagreement Over Documentation and extended Delay

Now that you are familiar with Martin Allou's case, you can find an activity below.

Emergency Response

Fortunately, none of those in the three cars in the accident was wounded. An ambulance and the traffic police were called in. On arrival, the ambulance team examined the occupants of the three cars involved in the incident and established that none of them needed to be taken to the hospital for further medical check-up. While the operators in the ambulance were speaking to the occupants of the cars in turn, the police team went about inspecting the scene of the accident and associating each of the parties with their respective cars and taking statements on the incident from them. Ivorian immigrant, involved by no fault of his own in a car accident, is subjected first to immigration control that seemed irrelevant in the context When it was Martin Allou's turn with the police, one of the two officers asked him for the documents of the car and his ‘stay permit’, instead of a driving license he had asked of the other driver shortly before. Martin Allou gave the officer his driving license and the car documents. The officer took them from him and reiterated that he had asked for the stay permit and wanted to see that too.

Disagreement Over Documentation and extended Delay

A disagreement ensued over whether Martin Allou, should always take with him the stay permit, as proof of being legally resident in the country or, the national ID card and the driving license he had with him should suffice to prove his legal presence. The Police stood their ground. After taking statements on the accident from all parties, two of them were allowed to leave the scene while Martin Allou had to remain until the officers had received a reply from their office confirming that he had a regular long term stay permit, as he said. Martin Allou finally arrived at his workplace about two hours late.

Martin Allou's Turn with the Police

When it was Martin Allou's turn with the police, one of the two officers asked him for the documents of the car and his ‘stay permit’, instead of a driving license he had asked of the other driver shortly before. Martin Allou gave the officer his driving license and the car documents. The officer took them from him and reiterated that he had asked for the stay permit and wanted to see that too. Martin Allou said he didn’t have it with him because he preferred to take with him the national Identity Card, issued by the municipality of one’s residence which fits into his wallet and is plastic-protected while the ‘stay permit’ is an A4 size paper document without any protection.