Elihu Rootwho is not only a great Secretary of State. but who is recognized as one of the very ablest lawyers in the countrywhich he wrote to Mr. HowELL. of date February 27. 1906. It is as follows: The Department has received a copy of the bill (H. n. 15442) to establish a bureau of immigration and naturalization. etc.. introduced in the House of Representatives by you February 22 190G. and I have had it carefully examined to ascertain if Its provisions are such that they would probably provide a remedy for those evils in the matter of the naturalization iof aliens which the Department has called to the attention of Congress on several occasions. I am gratified to be able to say that those who have examined the bill think that if it were enacted into law it would work a great improvement" in the granting of citizenship. They think. however. that it would be improved by slight amendments. First. Section 5 provides that an alien shall make a declaration of his intention to become a citizen of the United States at least two years prior to his admission. and that he shall file the petition for final naturalization not more than five years after making the declaration. that the declaration of Intention shall have a life of not more than five years. It is suggested that section 29 be so amended as to require that the certificate of declaration of intention set forth that the document is not valid after five years from the date of Its issuance. Now. the Secretary did not suggest the amendment from five to seven years. and I am pleased to accord the originality of that suggestion to the distinguished gentleman from Minnesota. and to express. as I pass.
Keywords matched
immigration naturalization