Speech #590143185

I rise to correct what seems to ine a misapprehension as to existing law. Under the law as it is enforced now there are other methods of surrendering eltizensitip besides swearing allegiance to some other country. The decisions are numerous that either aI nativeborn American or a naturalized alien may by his own act voluntarily surrender his American citizenshi4). The decisions are numerous that a nativeborn American who goes abroad with the intention to abide there permanently does lose his citizenship in America without any other act whatever. It has also been held in numerous decisions that " foreignborn citizen who leaves this country after an absence of a number of years will be presuined to have abandoned his citizenship. No distinction is made between the Americanborn citizen and the foreignborn citizen beyond this. that a presumption has been indulged in in the case of the foreignborn citizen that lie intends to remain away perimnently. And whenever that fact is made clear with reference to either a nativeborn American or a naturalized American. he has forfeited under the laws his right to American citizenship and therefore the protection of the United States. And this section 3. as a matter of fact and law. is only declaratory of tile unwritten law. making it a little more definite as to the exact tiime when the presumption attaches. Why.