Speech #760277242

Nobody can tell. The State Department does not know. The Immigration and Naturalization Service does not know. But nevertheless that situation exists. This measure attempts to terminate such claims of citizenship. This is something that has never heretofore been attempted. So if no other reason existed. then the correction of this laxity in our naturalization laws would be sufficient reason for the passage of this legislation. This measure provides that after a 2year period from the passage of this act. those individuals just described who may be citizens of the United States are forever barred from claiming such citizenship. unless they come to this country and establish permanent residence. However. section 201 (g) of the code requires that the citizen parent. in order to transmit citizenship to a child born abroad. should have hadTen years residence in the United States or one of its outlying possessions. at least 5 of which were after attaining the age of 16 years. Very important changes are found in chapter IVLoss of nationality. Section 401 thereof not only clarifies the law concerning the loss of nationality as a result of naturalization during minority in a foreign state through the naturalization of a parent therein but specifies certain acts causing loss of American nationality. including entry into a foreign army. acceptance of an office under a foreign government. and voting in a political election in a foreign state. Section 402 was adopted upon the special recommendation of the War Department with a view to checking the activities of persons regarded as prospective "fifth columnists." This section provides for a presumption of loss of American nationally in the case of a person born in the United StatesWhen he shall remain for 6 months or longer within any foreign state of which he or either of his parents shall have been a national according to the laws of such foreign state. or within any place under control of such foreign state. Sections 404406 contain very important provisions under which persons who have been naturalized in this country will lose their American nationality as a result of protracted residence in foreign countries. In the case of one residing in his native land. nationality is lost after a residence of 2 years. if as a result of such residence he acquires the nationality of the foreign state in which he resides. If he does not acquire such nationality.