The decree canceling a certificate simply operates upon a status that the holder of the certificate has obtained in this country under its laws upon fraudulent representation. for instance. upon the representation that he intended to become a permanent resident of this country. when. in fact. he did not. If this amendment should be adopted. it would afford a great deal of relief to the Government against the troublesome claims of holders of spurious certificates abroad. It will not altogether cure the evil. for an alien might reside in this country for five years to secure citizenship and might continue to reside here for five years after having secured it and then go abroad and permanently expatriate himself from this country and claim protection from this Government. but if it was understood that it required a residence in this country of at least ten yearsfive years before citizenship and five years afterwardsto enable the holder to secure the protection of American citizen in his permanent residence abroad. there would be little inducement for such people to attempt frauds against the naturalization laws of this country for such purpose. Of course citizens of the United States. whether native or naturalized. who are in foreign lands. on business or for pleasure or health. for any length of time do not and should not forfeit protection as citizens. The amendment I propose is aimed chiefly at the class of aliens who come here for the sole purpose of securing citizenship to be used abroad to protect them against the impositions and exactions of foreign countries where they intend to permanently live. The effect of the amendment will not be to decitizenize an American citizen nor to take from a citizen any of his rights as such.
Keywords matched
naturalized naturalization