Immigrants in France who are working on the coronavirus frontline have had their citizenship applications processed speedily as 74 people already have been granted permanent stay.
It should be recalled that the interior ministry invited immigrants that “actively contributed” to the fight against the coronavirus, such as healthcare professionals, cleaners, childcare, and essential workers, to apply for fast-track naturalisation in September.
While talking about the development, the office of Marlene Schiappa, Junior minister for citizenship, said out of almost 3,000 people that responded, 74 had obtained citizenship while 693 immigrants were in the final stage of citizenship acquisition.
In a statement issued recently, Ms. Schiappa said: ‘Foreign workers gave their time and swung into action for all of us during the Covid crisis.
‘It is now up to the Republic to take a step toward them.
‘Health professionals, cleaning ladies, childcare workers, checkout staff: They all proved their commitment to the nation, and it is now the turn of the republic to take a step towards them.’
Furthermore, Immigration authorities have been directed to reduce the residency period required for citizenship from five to two years in the case of ‘great services rendered’.
