Speech #730144008

This is something that should have been done long ago. This simply equalizes the status between men and women in the matter of renunciation of citizenship before the law. Finally. the fourth section of the bill. instead of being a little more liberal. is perhaps somewhat restrictive. because. in effecting equality. it enlarges naturalization requirements for women and then applies the same requirements to men. At the present time the alien wife of an American citizen does not have to make a declaration of intention. The residence qualifications were somewhat liberalized years ago so that she need show but 1 years residence. In this particular section we once more seek to equalize the status of men and women before the law. and instead of providing that she shall be required to reside here or to be domiciled here but 1 year to comply with the requirements of naturalization and citizenship. the bill provides that both men and women must reside here 3 years. It is a little more restrictive in that respect. Now. in substance. that is all there is in this bill. Some amendments were written in by the committee. such as the requirement of a child born outside of this country coming back to this country and having to actually and permanently reside here for 5 years before the inchoate right of citizenship becomes complete. I understand an amendment will be offered to require that such children must also take the oath of allegiance as provided by the Bureau of Naturalization. After all. these are not so material to the fundamental principle of the bill. although I heartily approve of them. What the bill seeks to do is to bring about an effectuation of equality between American fathers and American mothers so far as children born outside our borders are concerned. and in respect to renunciation of citizenship and the right to qualify under our naturalization law. It is not of particular consequence insofar as immigration is concerned because it will not let down the bars nor is it intended as an immigration bill. I believe this bill should be enacted into law without delay. today. so that it can receive proper treatment at the other side of the Capitol and be engrossed upon the statute books of the Nation.