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Saturday, 20.04.2024, 01:17
Only five asylum seekers since 1998 have received Latvian citizenship
BC, Riga, 03.08.2015.
Print version
Print versionWith the plight of refugees and their status in host countries a pertinent issue these days, the Citizenship and Migration Board has some interesting facts to report, foremost being that Latvian citizenship has been granted to only five asylum seekers since 1998, reports LETA.
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Requesting asylum in Latvia since 1998 are a total of 1,592 foreigners. 65 were granted refugee status, but 137 – "alternative" status. There is no stipulation in Latvian laws saying that the next step is mandatory naturalization.
The Board could not say how many of the 65+137 wanted to earn Latvian citizenship, but in fact, citizenship has been granted to only five (from Egypt, Sudan, Russia and Belarus).
The Board also notes that Latvian laws do not require those granted refugee status to have to report their whereabouts. They can freely move about in the Schengen Zone. Those granted the alternative status have a different reality: they must renew or extend their status once a year.
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