Naturalization. The machinery for effecting the metamorphosis is thereby simplified. The exclusive jurisdiction to naturalize aliens is conferred upon specified courts within their judicial districts. The method by which an alien may become a citizen is as follows: (1) By declaration on oath before the clerk of the proper court as least two years before his admission, and after he has reached the age of eighteen years, of his intention to become a citizen, and to renounce allegiance to any foreign sovereignty. (2) Not less than two years nor more than seven after he has made such declaration, he shall file a petition, verified by two credible witnesses, that he has lived in the United States for five years and is otherwise eligible for citizenship. The fees amount to five dollars plus any expense incident upon summoning witnesses. No alien who cannot speak the English language may now be admitted to citizenship. Naturalization laws apply to women as well as to men. A married woman does not now 8 become a citizen of the United States because her husband is one. CITIZENSHIP OF WOMEN 9' The following table compiled by The Survey shows the citizenship status of both American and foreign women since the passage of the Cable Act so clearly that it is given here in its entirety: STATUS OF CITIZENSHIP OF WOMEN IN THE UNITED 1. American-born woman, unmarried is cit- Credentials Abroad port. Since the passage of the Cable Act, Sept. 22, 1922. 'The Survey, Nov. 15, 1922, page 231. 2. American-born woman, married to citizen of the United States, whether he be American-born or foreign-born, is citizen of the United States. 3. American-born woman, married to citizen foreign-born, naturalized before September 22, 1922, is citizen of the United States. 4. American-born woman, married to alien before September 22, 1922, thereby forfeiting her United States citizenship, remains an alien irrespective of any change in the status of her husband's citizenship after September 22, 1922, until she herself acquires independent citizenship. The naturalization procedure in this case requires only one year's continuous residence in the United States and the filing of a petition. 5. American-born woman, married to alien after September 22, 1922, retains her United States citizenship unless she officially renounces such citizenship before a court having jurisdiction over naturalization in the United States. 6. American-born woman, married to alien ineligible to United States citizenship, loses her American citizenship. Foreign-born Women 1. Alien woman, unmarried, remains alien until naturalized in regular procedure, i.e., certificate arrival, declaration, five year's residence in United States-one year residence in state, ability to use English language, etc. 2. Alien woman, married to alien, remains alien until naturalized independently by regular procedure. 3. Alien woman, married to citizen of United States, naturalized before September 22, 1922, is a citizen of the United States.10 Cable Act is not retroactive. United States passport. United States pass port. "Woman without a country." United States pass port refused. Many foreign govern ments refuse passport because their laws vest citizenship of married women in citizenship of husbands. United States passport. Depends upon laws of husband's country. United States passport refused. Credentials Abroad Foreign passport. Foreign passport, usually that of husband's country. United States passport. re 4. Alien woman, married to citizen of United States naturalized, remains alien until naturalized independently." The naturalization procedure in this case quires certificate of arrival (if after 1906), one year's residence in United States and filing of petition. 5. Alien woman, married to alien, ineligible to United States citizenship, may not be naturalized.12 "Woman without country." Forfeits foreign passport, under laws of many foreign countries by marriage to citizen of another country. Is also refused United States passport because not a citizen of United States Foreign passport usually same as husband's. There never has been any good reason why adult women should not have an independent citizenship, but not until they were enfranchised in the United States was there a law to make explicit the independent citizenship status of married women. After the nineteenth amendment went into effect, hundreds of thousands of wives unable to speak the English language automatically became voters for no other reason than that they were married to citizens, a situation that fortunately cannot occur again. Minor children naturally follow parental citizenship. TENDENCY OF ALIENS TO BECOME NATURALIZED The tendency of immigrants to complete the formalities connected with becoming citizens is a fair indication of their assimilability; yet it must be admitted that failure to do this has sometimes been the result of unfavorable circumstances, or neglect, and should, in no way, militate against the professed loyalty of the individual. By way of illustration of the tendency of aliens living in an industrial centre to become naturalized, I am presenting the following table 13 and brief case record: "Exception in case of marriage to American Indian. Department interprets that such a marriage does not entail loss of citizenship. 12 This includes women married to aliens who withdrew first papers in order to avoid service in army during World War. According to act of July, 1918, such aliens forfeited forever right to become United States citizens. 13 Facts for both table and case record gathered by Mr. Fred Fitzgerald of Festus, Mo. |