Several individuals perceived as Muslim have reported undergoing intrusive and stigmatizing interviews during their French nationality application process, according to multiple reports. These interviews, intended to assess assimilation, have reportedly included questions about religious practices, family life, and views on specific cultural issues, raising concerns about potential bias. One individual, identified as Manel, described being asked about her family's religious background, her views on Charlie Hebdo, and whether she supported the attacks on the magazine and the assassination of teacher Samuel Paty. She stated she felt targeted and prejudged during the interview. Other applicants, including a Brazilian, an American, and a Lebanese woman, shared similar experiences, with some reporting a more neutral and supportive atmosphere, while others described feeling singled out due to their perceived Muslim identity. Farid, another applicant, recounted an interview in Normandy where the agent focused heavily on his family life, religious practices, and personal views on issues such as abortion and same-sex marriage. Nada, a Moroccan woman, was questioned about her hijab, including whether she wore it at work, if she had imposed it on her employer, and whether she would remove it if the interviewer was male. These experiences have led to claims of a "logic of suspicion" toward Muslims, as noted by researcher Émilien Fargues, who observed that some agents adjusted questions based on the applicant's appearance or background. Internal documents from the French Ministry of the Interior, obtained by StreetPress, indicate that the opposition between republican values and Islam has been a part of nationality policies for years. These documents suggest that certain questions, such as whether an applicant would accept treatment by a doctor of the opposite sex or views on the full veil, were specifically targeted at Muslim applicants. A 2021 document under Minister Gérald Darmanin emphasized the importance of assessing adherence to republican values, particularly laïcité (secularism), and noted that the wearing of the veil could be seen as a sign of non-assimilation if combined with other factors. The most recent guidelines, issued in 2025 by Bruno Retailleau, reinforce the focus on adherence to republican values during the assimilation interview, while factual knowledge tests are now separate. The GISTI, an organization assisting immigrants, has noted that Muslim applicants often face refusals based on perceived excessive religious practice, framed as insufficient adherence to republican values. Two cases in 2021 and 2022 were later overturned by the Nantes administrative court, which found that the decisions were based on an "error manifeste d’appréciation" (clear error in judgment). The French Ministry of the Interior stated that the interviews are meant to assess the applicant's adherence to the principles of freedom, equality, and fraternity, particularly in areas such as gender equality and secularism, and that they are not intended to target any specific group. However, the discrepancy in experiences and the internal documentation suggest a potential institutional bias.