The legislature has approved changes in wording to naturalization laws. The changes come amid concerns that language stipulating applicants must be of “good character” is too abstract and gives authorities too much room for interpretation.
Opposition lawmakers sought to remove all references to character from the revised law, but the interior ministry raised concerns about the social acceptance of foreign nationals working in Taiwan’s red light districts.
After two hours of deliberations, the legislature agreed to the text of a draft proposed by the interior ministry. Whereas the original text of the nationality law requires that applicants for naturalization have “no criminal record”, the revised text says applicants must show that they have no police record. Those that have a police record but have not been convicted of any crime may reapply for naturalization after three years.
The requirement that applicants for naturalization renounce their original nationality has not been changed. Proposed revisions to the law will give applicants a year to prove they have renounced their original nationality in recognition of the fact that some countries will not issue proof of denaturalization until their citizens have acquired a new nationality.