Verlenging naturalisatietermijnen

Reactie

Vraag1

Dear Government, I respectfully write to express my deep concern about the proposed extension of the naturalization pathway from five to ten years, a change that would profoundly affect individuals like me who arrived in the Netherlands in 2022 on a highly skilled migrant visa along with my wife and 9months old son and have, in just 3 years, built a meaningful life here—forging friendships, investing in costly Dutch language classes, advancing in my career, relocating twice for rentals, and recently purchasing my first home, a milestone that underlines my commitment to this country. My son has already started attending Dutch school. I deeply admire the Netherlands and am eager to contribute to its future, which is why I strongly oppose this extension, as it raises several critical issues: first, it would deter skilled migration by rendering the Netherlands less appealing to international talent who make long-term decisions about relocation, work, and homeownership, potentially driving them elsewhere; second, a decade of residency alone does not foster better integration, whereas targeted initiatives like affordable or free Dutch tuition, accessible civic courses, and community programs far more effectively enable newcomers to thrive and give back; third, framing longer stays as a risk solution scapegoating immigrants for broader challenges like housing shortages or public safety—despite evidence showing migrants comprise only a small population fraction—thus distracting from genuine policies and eroding social cohesion by portraying newcomers as perpetual outsiders; fourth, it undermines fairness for those who arrive to build better lives, diligently follow rules, work diligently, and pay taxes, as expecting a significant chunk of one's adult years to prove belonging feels punitive, especially when many, including myself, planned our futures based on the existing five-year threshold, which is already sufficient; and fifth, while I fully support exclusions for serious criminality, a blanket ten-year penalty on law-abiding, contributing residents is disproportionate and unjust. In closing, I humbly urge the government to reconsider this proposal before acting such a sweeping alteration that could undermine the very openness and vitality that make the Netherlands exceptional.