We issue naturalization papers to very many citizens. Perhaps some are not properly naturalized. We know that the privilege has been abused. We know that in many cases there have been fraudulent papers. But when an American citizen offers his certificate of naturalization. when it is accepted by the foreign government. when it is acknowledged by the Secretary of State. when he is duly registered in the consulate where he ought to be registered. then. Mr. President. I for one am not disposed to haggle over the question whether or not that naturalization paper was properly issued to him. We have the right to make the assumption that it was properly issued to him until the decision of the court is overthrown. and that can not be overthrown by saying that there are statements here from the consulgeneral which appear to conflict with the law under which the certificate of naturalization was issued. * We are bound by that. as the Secretary of State was bound. Every Spanish official admitted the citizenship of this man. Are we to say to all our naturalized citizens. "We are going to try you on the technical question whether these naturalization papers were properly issued to you before you can receive the protection of the American flag. Foreign governmentsmay do to you anything theylike. and the Senate of the United States and the House of Representatives and the Department of State will not seek to protect you until they have examined your naturalization papdrs?" I believe. as regards all foreign countries. that our naturalization certificates should be held sacred. We should uphold them. and protect them. and defend them. If we are going to draw distinctions among our naturalized citizens. where is it to stop? Are we to say to all the naturalized Americans in this country. "We will not agree to protect you. When you take out your naturalization paper. it is waste paper if anybody chooses to question it or to intimate that some technicality is wrong?" I do not think. Mr. President. that any government can afford to take that position.
Keywords matched
naturalized naturalization