Verlenging naturalisatietermijnen

Reactie

Vraag1

To whom it may concern,

I am writing to express my concern about the proposed extension of the naturalization period from five to ten years. While I understand the intent to strengthen integration and ensure a durable connection to the Netherlands, I believe this measure risks undermining the very goal it seeks to achieve.

Many residents (including myself) have already invested years into building lives, careers, and communities here. Applying this new rule retroactively, without transitional provisions or a grandfather clause, penalizes those who have acted in good faith under the current system. It shifts the goalposts mid-game and erodes trust in the fairness of Dutch institutions.

Furthermore, doubling the residency requirement may discourage skilled migrants and long-term contributors from pursuing citizenship. It risks creating a class of permanent residents who are fully integrated yet excluded from full participation in society. This could have lasting consequences for social cohesion, economic productivity, and democratic engagement.

I urge lawmakers to consider at least:
1. A grandfather clause for current residents already on the path to naturalization.
2. A tiered system that rewards civic participation, education, and employment with accelerated eligibility.

The root challenge lies in managing the influx of refugees and undocumented migrants a challenge this proposal does not directly address.
Instead, it disproportionately affects lawful immigrants who are committed to integration. The current draft introduces no new tools, incentives, or programs to support integration itself.
I urge all parties involved to pursue a smarter, more sustainable approach not simply an arbitrary increase with uncertain consequences.

The Netherlands has long stood for fairness, pragmatism, and trust. Let us ensure our citizenship laws continue to reflect those values.

Respectfully,
Salar Hosseinali
Resident of Maarssen