PARIS – The French government has officially granted citizenship to actor George Clooney and his wife, Amal Clooney, acknowledging their significant contributions to France’s global cultural and international presence. This decision came under scrutiny after being questioned by a junior minister earlier this week.

The announcement of the Clooneys’ naturalization, along with their twins, Ella and Alexander, was published in the Journal Officiel, which documents official French government decrees. George Clooney, famed for his roles in the “Ocean’s” heist film series, and Amal Clooney, a respected human rights lawyer, were originally from Kentucky and Lebanon, respectively.

Marie-Pierre Vedrenne, a junior minister within the Interior Ministry, voiced concerns that the Clooneys may have received preferential treatment in their naturalization process. She noted that George Clooney himself admits to only speaking “horrible, horrible” French, which might raise fairness issues among other new French citizens.

In an interview with France Info, Vedrenne stated, “The message being sent is not good. There is an issue of fairness that, in my eyes, is absolutely essential.” Her comments reflect a broader concern about ensuring equal treatment in the citizenship process.

The Clooneys have owned a French estate since 2021, which they regard as their main home. France offers various pathways to citizenship for non-French residents, although it’s unclear whether Clooney has renounced his American citizenship. Amal, who was born in Lebanon and grew up in the U.K., was naturalized in France under her maiden name, Amal Alamuddin. Their twins were born in London and are now also French citizens.

The Foreign Ministry said the Clooneys were eligible for citizenship under a French law that allows for the naturalization of foreign nationals who contribute to France’s international influence and economic well-being.

It argued that France’s cinema industry will benefit from the actor’s clout as a global movie star and said that as a lawyer, Amal Clooney regularly works with academic institutions and international organizations in France.

“They maintain strong personal, professional and family ties with our country,” the ministry said.

“Like many French citizens, we are delighted to welcome Georges and Amal Clooney into the national community,” it concluded, giving the actor’s first name a French twist by adding the “s” at the end.

The decision was also defended by Vedrenne’s superior at the Interior Ministry, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez, who said he signed the naturalization decree.

“It’s a big chance for our country,” he said.

In recent media interviews when he was promoting “Jay Kelly,” Clooney said that he is trying to teach himself French using a language-learning app. He said that his wife and children speak the language perfectly.

“They speak French in front of me so that they can say terrible things about me to my face and I don’t know,” he joked, speaking to French broadcaster Canal+.

French media have reported that the Clooneys live part-time in their luxury 18th-century villa outside the town of Brignoles in southern France, where they can keep a lower profile and their children are protected from unauthorized photographs by French privacy laws.

In an interview with Esquire in October, Clooney said: “I was worried about raising our kids in L.A., in the culture of Hollywood.”

“I don’t want them to be walking around worried about paparazzi. I don’t want them being compared to somebody else’s famous kids,” he said. Growing up away from the spotlight in France, “they have dinner with grown-ups and have to take their dishes in. They have a much better life.”