The government in France has decided to reward many of the frontline staff who have worked tirelessly during the pandemic and put their safety and lives on the line to help others. The French government has now stated that many immigrants who were not full French citizens will be granted full citizenship on a fast-track basis as thanks for their work. This includes store-workers, healthcare staff and cleaners.
The news has been met with delight by many of the immigrants themselves and by human-rights groups.
Frontline staff in France, and in most other countries, have been among the most severely impacted by CoVid-19, with death rates higher among nurses, doctors, cleaners and those working in essential services. 2.5 million French people have been diagnosed with CoVid-19 since the start of the pandemic and over 60,000 have died.
Over 700 immigrants have already been granted full citizenship, or will receive citizenship very shortly, and almost 3,000 others have applied for the fast-track reward system.
French Junior Minister for Citizenship, Marlene Schiappa, said of the reward:
"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."
She added:
"Some foreigners swung into action and were particularly exposed in the fight against the CoViD-19 pandemic. They actively participated in the national effort, with dedication and courage."
The new rules will also mean that immigrants to France will have the time required in the country before they apply for full citizenship reduced from five years to two years in scenarios where they have shown outstanding efforts towards the good of the nation.
Around 6.4 million immigrants currently live in France, mostly from countries formerly controlled by France, such as Algeria, Congo and countries in West Africa where French is either the foremost language or is commonly spoken.
It isn't the first time in recent history a heroic action has resulted in an immigrant being granted citizenship. In 2018, Mamoudou Gassama, originally from Mali, was granted French citizenship after climbing a building to save a young boy from a burning apartment.
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