Verlenging naturalisatietermijnen

Reactie

Vraag1

I strongly oppose this bill's proposed extension of the naturalisation period from the current 5 up to 10 years, as this will disproportionately and unfairly affect immigrants, including international students and skilled migrants.

This measure introduces a significant barrier to full participation in Dutch society for those who are already meeting 'integration' requirements, such as language proficiency, social and professional connections, and cultural understanding. By delaying access to citizenship another 5 years, the proposal will further marginalise people who already have proven to contribute economically, socially, and culturally to Dutch society.

Individuals from less privileged backgrounds (including international students and temporary workers) already face structural disadvantages on migrating, finding housing, finding work, and integrating into Dutch society. Extending the timeline for naturalisation exacerbates inequality by denying these groups the legal stability and political rights that are essential for meaningful integration and participation - people need to feel that they are able to stay safely in the country to fully integrate in the first place. Citizenship is not merely a legal status — it is a symbol of belonging.

This new bill undermines trust in current government institutions and disrupts the expectations of those already living here under the current framework. Punishing people who have already invested years into building a life here in the Netherlands (including through language, work, social and civic life) by retroactively moving the goalposts is not only unfair, but it also risks alienating exactly those people the government claims to want to integrate.