Jan Bazyli Klakla on the draft amendment to the Citizenship Act for Rzeczpospolita

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12 Jun 2025

Jan Bazyli Klakla

Jan Bazyli Klakla
Dr. Jan Bazyli Klakla holds doctorates in law and sociology from the Jagiellonian University in Krakow, where he also completed studies in law, sociology, and cultural studies, alongside postgraduate studies in international migration at the University of Warsaw. He is currently a Director of Migration, Social Policy, and Development Cooperation at CASE – Center for Social and Economic Research in Warsaw, and a post-doctoral researcher at the Center for Legal Education and Social Theory at the University of Wrocław. Dr. Klakla has been involved in and has led numerous national and European research projects, including those funded by Horizon Europe, Norway Grants, and Polish National Science Center. His work also includes providing consulting and expert services to key European institutions such as the Committee of the Regions, the European Economic and Social Committee, and CEDEFOP (European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training). He has served as an expert in the “Safe Krakow - Security Strategy for Krakow” program. Dr. Klakla is the editor of Law and Culture. Reconceptualization and Case Studies (Springer Nature, 2021) and the author of Law and Acculturation. Conceptualisation and Empirical Case Study: Slavic Migrants in Poland (Palgrave Macmillan, 2024) and Studying in Times of Crisis. Acculturation and Adaptation of Ukrainian Students at Kraków Higher Education Institutions amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic and Russia's Aggression against Ukraine (Brill, 2025). In recognition of his scholarly contributions, he was awarded first prize in the competition of the Association of the Philosophy of Law and Social Philosophy (IVR) – Polish Section for the best doctoral dissertation in the theory and philosophy of law. His research interests span migration, sociology of law, educational research, public policy analysis, customary law, and the methodology of social sciences.

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- Fear or Opportunity? Rethinking Poland’s Migration Strategy in Rzeczpospolita
  On October 15, the government adopted a new migration strategy, which—according to Prime Minister Donald Tusk—is intended to ensure the "security of Poland." An article by Agnieszka Kulesa and Jan Bazyli Klakla, published in Rzeczpospolita, highlights that this document focuses on viewing migration as a threat rather than recognizing its potential benefits. "The idea of full control over migration is an illusion," notes Agnieszka Kulesa, emphasizing that people will always move in search of a better life. Experts argue that a fear-based approach may harm both the economy and social cohesion. Migrants play a crucial role in the labor market, and their presence is becoming increasingly important as Polish society ages. The authors warn that the strategy may discourage people willing to work and integrate while failing to address issues related to irregular migration. Instead of fostering an atmosphere of distrust, Poland should focus on real integration mechanisms that respond to the country's economic and demographic needs.

A new draft amendment to the Polish Citizenship Act, submitted by the Law and Justice party (PiS), is unlikely to pass in the current parliamentary configuration—but it nevertheless deserves close attention. As noted by Jan Bazyli Klakla, Director for Migration, Social Policy and Development Cooperation at CASE, the content of the proposal reveals a great deal about how parts of the political class currently understand citizenship, migration, and integration.

The proposed amendment would extend the minimum period of legal residence required for a foreign national to be granted Polish citizenship—from three to ten years. The official justification centers around the need for “deeper integration” and “social stability.” In reality, however—as Klakla writes—this proposal does not reform citizenship policy, but rather restricts it, raising the threshold for joining the political community.

Contrary to what the drafters suggest, a longer period of residence does not guarantee deeper integration. On the contrary—it is the stability of legal status that citizenship provides which allows people to put down roots in society: to plan their future, invest, and learn the language with long-term settlement in mind.

Jan Bazyli Klakla

Director for Migration, Social Policy and Development Cooperation

Jan Bazyli Klakla emphasizes that the proposal is based on the belief that citizenship is a privilege that must be earned—after passing an “exam” of loyalty, language, and culture. This is a misguided approach that treats migrants not as co-creators of society, but as individuals merely “applying” for the right to participate in it.

In the model proposed by the amendment’s authors, integration is replaced by assimilation—the expectation that migrants should abandon their cultural identity in order to fully conform to dominant norms. Yet research shows that integrative models—those that allow for cultural identity to be maintained while participating in social life—yield far better educational, professional, and civic outcomes.

Conclusion:

Citizenship should not be a trophy—nor a disciplinary tool. It should be a recognition of belonging that is already taking place—in the workplace, in schools, and in local communities. It is a legal status that enables people to plan for the future, invest, form social bonds, and grow in a country that is increasingly becoming their home.

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Jan Bazyli Klakla on the draft amendment to the Citizenship Act for Rzeczpospolita

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