Naturalization ceremony in Herford: New citizens shine in front of a new home!

Naturalization ceremony in Herford: New citizens shine in front of a new home!

Herford illuminates with joy and hope! On October 23, 2024, a day that Haifa Jirdo and her daughter are never forgotten, they ceremoniously received German citizenship. The mother of two announces with a bright face: "I can finally live in a country without war. It's worth fighting!" The naturalization ceremony in the council hall was an emotional spectacle, in which 65 new citizens: inside from Syria, Iraq and Turkey were congratulated - proud of their future in Germany!

The new laws on nationality have changed the game! Since the end of June, naturalization people have been able to keep their foreign passport and only need five years in Germany instead of eight! There is even the chance of an even faster naturalization. Mayor Tim Kähler emphasizes the importance of this reform and explains that double citizenship is overdue. "Home is not a place, home is a feeling," he quotes the well -known songwriter Herbert Grönemeyer.

personal stories and new possibilities

Haifa Jirdo, who fled from Iraq nine years ago, looks back on her journey: "I lived in Berlin and Schwerin and then moved to Herford." Her bistro in Herford train station is her life's work and she is happy with her customers. Handan Kaya, the team coordinator in the service office, accompanied numerous individual fates. "People not only give their applications with us, they share their stories," she emphasizes, emphasizing the positive influence of the new service office. With 1,438 consultations since July you notice the large flood of application - naturalization is more accessible than ever!

treasurer Kähler is proud of the work of his team, which was able to drastically shorten the processing time of 18 months. In Herford, 109 qualified naturalization applications have already been received - that is the double number compared to before! A new section has started, full of hope and countless possibilities for new citizens: inside from Herford!