In late February, several dozen Tunisian deputies signed a proposal to modify the conditions under which individuals can acquire Tunisian nationality. This initiative seeks to harden regulations related to naturalization and citizenship by birth, aiming at curbing illegal immigration. The proposal reflects a growing concern among the lawmakers about the national identity and sovereignty regarding immigration issues.

Lead by Deputy Syrine Mrabet, the proposed legislation outlines that naturalization would now require individuals to have legally entered the country and maintained residence for a continuous period of at least seven years. This marks a significant shift from previous regulations, which could have provided more flexible options for citizenship. The changes seem to align with a broader trend in Tunisia to control immigration more rigorously and impose stricter requirements on foreigners seeking citizenship.

In addition to the naturalization conditions, another critical alteration mentioned within the proposal targets Article 8 of the Tunisian nationality code. This amendment proposes that any child born in Tunisia to stateless parents residing in the country would not automatically receive Tunisian nationality. This shift poses potential implications for many individuals and families affected by statelessness, signaling a tighter grip on who can claim Tunisian citizenship and potentially exacerbating issues related to stateless individuals and their rights.