Verlenging naturalisatietermijnen

Reactie

Vraag1

I disagree with this extension decision and wonder what value it could add to the Netherlands. Yes, naturalization must be justifiably earned, and no one gets magically naturalized after just "living" in the NL for "five" years. Firstly, this number is merely a lower estimation as the process itself takes time. Secondly, the decision remains up to the authorities, who place reasonable criteria to judge how fit the person is for this step. Why double/ triple the wait for integrated immigrants, when the same authorities could just reject/ defer unfit applications? The biggest consequence such a decision would have is losing thousands of skilled immigrants, along with demotivating any newly coming immigrants who could positively contribute to the Dutch economy and society. Ten years is too much, placing the Netherlands on an upper extreme compared to other similarly attractive countries for foreign talent such as Germany, France, Canada, etc. Why leave your home country and give your all for another foreign country where you won't belong or be able to settle down until you pass a ten-year term?
Another point is that this decision is quite unfair to highly skilled immigrants who factored the naturalization term into their decision to move to the Netherlands. Many companies have used this as a bargaining chip during interviews/ offer negotiations, and now that this might change, many will re-question their employment terms and future in the company/ country. This is bound to create a lot of unrest for employees in similar situations and will surely lead to many premature resignations. Finally, working immigrants (particularly newcomers) don't have other options to access a more secure stay in the Netherlands. Their existence is tied to whichever company can sponsor them and find them useful for the time being on temporary contracts. A permanent work permit will only be issued after much blood, sweat, and tears over five productive years. Not to mention that the word "permanent" is quite a stretch here for a document that needs to be renewed every five years. This is quite discouraging for individuals who wish to grow/ bring their families in the country, meaning that the Netherlands also loses this type of continuity through families, e.g. children raised on Dutch soil. I hope the government considers the implications of such a decision on immigrants who try to integrate and positively contribute to society.