Some People Seem Upset George Clooney Was Granted French Citizenship

So, how does one become a citizen of France through naturalization?

In most cases, when you are 18 or older and have legally lived in France for an uninterrupted period of five years, you can apply for citizenship by naturalization. You’ll have to meet certain requirements, such as:

• Knowledge of French language (minimum of B1 level)
• Sufficient knowledge of French history, culture, and business
• Stable and sufficient income to support yourself and your household
• No criminal convictions that have resulted in imprisonment of six months or more

But

French government defends granting citizenship to George and Amal Clooney

Actor George Clooney and his wife Amal Clooney were granted French citizenship because “they contribute, through their distinguished actions, to France’s international influence and cultural outreach,” the French government said Wednesday, defending their naturalization that was questioned by a junior French minister.

The naturalizations of the Kentucky-born star of the “Ocean’s” series of heist movies, his wife and human rights lawyer Amal Clooney, and their twins Ella and Alexander were announced last weekend in the Journal Officiel, where French government decrees are published.

Marie-Pierre Vedrenne, a junior minister at the Interior Ministry, expressed misgivings Wednesday that some of the Clooneys’ new French compatriots may think that the star couple was granted special treatment. The actor speaks only what he himself says is “horrible, horrible” French.

I mean, that is a good point, because reading and writing French is rather a requirement. His wife and kids supposedly are fully fluent.

“The message being sent is not good,” Vedrenne said in an interview with broadcaster France Info. “There is an issue of fairness that, in my eyes, is absolutely essential.”

The couple purchased an estate in France in 2021 and Clooney has said that it’s their primary residence. Non-French residents of France have multiple possible routes to becoming naturalized. It wasn’t clear whether the 64-year-old actor retained his American citizenship. His 47-year-old wife was born in Lebanon and raised in the U.K and naturalized by France under her maiden name, Amal Alamuddin. The 8-year-old twins were born in London.

The Foreign Ministry said the Clooneys were eligible for citizenship under a French law that allows for the naturalization of foreign nationals who contribute to France’s international influence and economic well-being.

Now, see, I’m not a big fan of Clooney as an actor, I’ve just never enjoyed his acting and parts. This goes back to not liking him on ER. There are many actors I do not care for. That he’s Trump deranged plays no part in this. But, let’s really consider this: George and his wife, regardless of your personal opinion of Clooney and his wife, damned sure bring value. And money. Is it better than France gave citizenship to the Clooneys, who will not be drains on the French, won’t be taking welfare and other government resources, but, will be contributing money to the French treasury, unlike all those migrants from 3rd world shitholes the French government brings in.

Immigrants should bring value, not dependency.