The summons referred to in 2° of article L. 632-1 is given to the foreign national at least fifteen days before the committee meeting. It specifies that the person concerned has the right to be assisted by counsel or any person of their choice and to be heard with an interpreter.
The foreign national may apply for legal aid under the conditions laid down by law no. 91-647 of 10 July 1991 relating to legal aid. This option is indicated in the summons. Provisional admission to legal aid may be granted by the chairman of the committee.
The committee’s proceedings are public. The chairman keeps the meeting in order. Anything he/she orders to ensure order is carried out immediately. Before the committee, the foreign national may put forward all the reasons against his or her expulsion. A report recording the foreign national’s explanations is forwarded, along with the committee’s reasoned opinion, to the administrative authority competent to take a decision. The committee’s opinion is also communicated to the foreign national concerned.
The committee delivers its opinion within one month of the foreign national receiving the summons referred to in the first paragraph. However, if the foreign national requests removal for a legitimate reason, the Commission will extend this period, up to a maximum of one month from the date of the decision granting removal. At the end of the one-month period or, if the committee has extended it, the additional period it has set, the formalities for consulting the committee are deemed to have been completed.
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