Acts extending the operation of the Constitution to new territory. it is insisted. may be repealed. So far as a treaty remains executory on both sides. it may be conceded that Congress can prevent its further execution. but it does not follow that Congress can override the obligations of. and disregard the conditions created by. an executed treaty. nor does it follow that Congress can impair the efficiency of a personal tight created and established by the act it assumes to repeal. Whatever may be the general rule as to the effect of Congressional action disregarding the stipulations of a treaty. or as to the effect of the repeal of an ordinary statute. citizenship of the United States. once acquired. whether by naturalization. or treaty stipulation. or by act of Congress. can not be taken away. nor its benefits. advantages. or immunities neutralized or impaired. except as a punishment for crime. and then only after a constitutional trial and conviction. To deprive a citizen of the United States of a civil right that inheres in American citizenship would be to inflict on him a most serious punishment. To attempt by legislative action to strip a class of citizens of the right of trial by jury. or to take from them constitutional protection against being twice put in jeopardy for the same offense. or against being deprived of life. liberty. or property without due process of law. would be to attempt to subject them to the operation of a bill of attainder. which the Constitution expressly forbids.
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naturalization