Verlenging naturalisatietermijnen

Reactie

Vraag1

Open Letter to the Dutch Government: A Plea for Fairness and Inclusion

As a committed resident of the Netherlands who has chosen this country for its values of openness, justice, and opportunity, I write this with deep concern and disappointment regarding the proposed extension of the naturalization period from five to ten years.

This change, if enacted, will not only delay the dreams of thousands of expats and immigrants who have made the Netherlands their home, but it will also send a discouraging message to those who have invested years in integrating, contributing to society, and building a future here.

We work, pay taxes, raise families, learn the language, and actively participate in Dutch society. Extending the wait to ten years feels less like a measure of integration and more like a barrier to belonging.

This proposal risks alienating those who have chosen the Netherlands with hope and trust. It undermines the principle of fairness and could discourage skilled professionals, students, and families from settling here — at a time when global talent and diversity are more important than ever.

A Child’s Voice: The Unspoken Impact
I also speak on behalf of my 9-year-old son, who left behind his birthplace, his friends, and everything familiar to start a new life in the Netherlands. In just a few years, he has learned Dutch, made new friends, and embraced this country as his own. He proudly sings the Dutch national anthem at school and dreams of becoming a firefighter here — to help and protect the people around him.
But now, with the proposed change to delay citizenship to ten years, he feels uncertain and insecure. He asks questions I struggle to answer:
“Why can’t I belong here yet?”
“Will they send us back?”
“Don’t they want us here?”

These are not questions a child should have to ask. They reflect the emotional toll this policy could have on young minds who are trying to feel safe, accepted, and rooted. Citizenship is not just a legal status — it’s a promise of belonging. And every child deserves to feel that promise fulfilled.

I urge the government to reconsider this proposal and instead focus on strengthening integration support, not delaying recognition. Citizenship should be a celebration of mutual commitment, not a prolonged test of endurance.
Let us build a future together — one that values inclusion, respects contributions, and honors the spirit of community that makes the Netherlands a place worth calling home.