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ccording to an October 2020 survey, most French citizens are anti-immigration. President Emmanuel Macron's 2018 immigration legislation certainly fit this sentiment; since then, his administration tightened asylum rules, made it harder for immigrants to access health care, and cracked down on Islamic practices. Macron later reversed his stance and announced that, amidst the COVID19 pandemic, frontline immigrant workers would receive fast-tracked citizenship status. This program, which France initiated in September to prepare for a second wave of cases, requires regional offices to accelerate the naturalization process for foreign workers who “have proved their commitment to the country” during the pandemic. Health-care workers, cleaning professionals, childcare workers, store clerks, and others are eligible. As of December 23, nearly three thousand people had applied for French citizenship, with more than seventy applicants gaining citizenship and about seven hundred in the final review stages. The office of Marlene
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Schiappa, the junior minister for citizenship, explained that “They all proved their commitment to the nation, and it is now the turn of the republic to take a step towards them.” France is not the only country struggling with COVID-19, nor is it the only one
As the pandemic continues, the efforts of essential workers need to be recognized. Other countries should follow France’s lead and offer fast-tracked citizenship for their frontline immigrant workers.
As the pandemic continues, the efforts of essential workers need to be recognized. Other countries should follow France’s lead and offer fast-tracked citizenship for their frontline immigrant workers. Normally, a successful applicant for French citizenship must be a resident for five consecutive years, with a stable income and demonstrated integration into French society. These strict requirements have led to a downward trend in French immigration, which decreased by about 10 percent between 2018 and 2019. With the accelerated program, eligible frontline workers must live in France for only two years. This fast-track program is not the first time France has granted citizenship to those who contributed to the country. Didier Leschi, the director of the French Office of Immigration and Integration, said the fast-tracking measure was part of “a long tradition that can be traced back to the French Revolution, which is to grant citizenship to the benefactors of the country.” He added that while the tradition typically applied to individual and exceptional cases, “here, a collective effort was rewarded.” One such exceptional case is that of Mamoudou Gassama, a twenty-two-year-old
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to have a population of immigrant workers on the front line. However, the French government is the only one awarding citizenship to its frontline immigrant workers.
