France: Six Beninese Gangbé Brass Band musicians face deportation orders, appeal pending

Six Beninese musicians from the Gangbé Brass Band, living in France since 2022 on “talent passport” visas, received orders to leave France on July 15, 2026, along with their families. A decline in concert bookings has weakened their administrative situation, and authorities have cited insufficient resources for two of the musicians. In Douarnenez, a trombonist hired by the music school cannot begin his contract because he lacks a visa, and the town has contacted the prefect. Ebenezer and Prosper’s appeal will be heard by the Rennes administrative court on November 19, while a petition warns that more than thirty concerts could be cancelled.