France Defends Citizenship for Clooneys

[{"selector":"#anim-f79dc647-8386-4330-af9e-f411589877a8 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.039325727643995%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] The French government is standing by its decision to grant citizenship to George

[{"selector":"#anim-4bded15a-4fae-40dc-845d-b24001131ac3 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-29.365577764238367%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] George Clooney, his wife Amal, and their twins were officially naturalized by France

[{"selector":"#anim-593870be-80e9-4ecf-a084-ed6c734cab8a [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.207386249603513%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] The decision appeared in the Journal Officiel, where French government decrees

[{"selector":"#anim-99c93afb-1fba-48c8-a02f-7e89c79af797 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-30.957683626100074%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] A junior Interior Ministry official voiced concerns about fairness in the naturalization

[{"selector":"#anim-4c0fa7b2-13af-444a-be27-56ebf0093e61 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-32.8029140060782%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] The minister warned that some citizens may see the move as special treatment

[{"selector":"#anim-3baf7180-22f0-4f08-9fba-588905fa664f [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-32.63742061346061%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Clooneys qualify under laws recognizing exceptional international influence.

[{"selector":"#anim-dd7cfd6f-47a5-4caa-90ce-d9bad7b2fb57 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-30.82959629623079%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Officials cited Clooney’s global fame and Amal Clooney’s legal work as major contributions.

[{"selector":"#anim-bfae8add-5ca3-447c-bbca-017b999efc22 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.62186836447386%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] The human rights lawyer regularly works with French academic and international institutions.

[{"selector":"#anim-0fce6d01-ceda-4651-b467-58f6a17eabc8 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-32.01236252821435%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] The couple owns a French estate and lists France as their primary residence.

[{"selector":"#anim-a2d0b2bf-b069-4d33-82dc-7db7333ca214 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.43749988736347%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Clooney has said France offers his children privacy and a life away from Hollywood pressure.

[{"selector":"#anim-2fbaed54-525e-4bef-a52d-28abb6378b4b [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-32.1289061415589%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] The actor joked that his wife and kids speak French fluently—and tease him in it