Those are the “First of duty”. The health crisis caused by the Covid-19 epidemic revealed the importance “Women and men that our economies recognize and pay so poorly”, declared the President of the Republic, Emmanuel Macron, on April 13, 2020, when he detailed the modalities of the extension of the confinement until May 11 and sketched his “strategy” to get out of the crisis.
In mid-September 2020, the government asked the prefects to“Accelerate” and of “Facilitate” access to French nationality for people who had “Actively contributed” in the fight against Covid-19. More than 12,000 foreign workers in France in ” First line “ during the Covid-19 epidemic were naturalized, announced Thursday, September 9, the Ministry of the Interior.
For a year, 16,381 files have been filed with the prefecture throughout France and 12,012 foreigners have become French, detailed the office of the Minister for Citizenship at the Ministry of the Interior, Marlène Schiappa.
Streamlined procedure
The ministry simplified the procedure for acquiring French nationality for health professionals, security or maintenance agents, cashiers or foreign home helpers mobilized during the health crisis, by reducing in particular to two years at instead of five the minimum period of residence in France required.
“These frontline workers have responded to the nation. It is normal for the nation to take a step towards them. I would like to welcome our new compatriots to French nationality and say thank you on behalf of the Republic: the country has also held out thanks to them! “said Mme Schiappa in the press release.
In total in 2020, 61,371 people acquired French nationality, i.e. 20% less than the previous year.
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