Speech #790138579

I can state the case to the Senate in a moment. Title X. which we propose to amend. relates to the naturalization of persons serving in the armed forces of the United States in the present war. and reads: Any person not a citizen. regardless of age. who has served or hereafter serves honorably in the military or naval forces of the United States during the present war and who. having been lawfully admitted to the United States. including its Territories and possessions. shall have been at the time of his enlistment or induction a resident thereof. may be naturalized upon compliance with all the requirements of the naturalization laws except that (1) no declaration of intention and no period of residence within the United States or any State shall be required. (2) the petition for naturalization may be filed in any court having naturalization jurisdiction regardless of the residence of the petitioner. (3) the petitioner shall not be required to speak the English language. sign his petition in his own handwriting. or meet any educational test. It was entirely proper to do that while we were at war. when men were risking their lives to fight for us. Then we gave them these easy terms of citizenship. But now the war is over. No one is going to be required to fight for us. I took the matter up with the Senator from Georgia . the chairman of the Committee on Immigration.* and we proposed to change the law by striking out this provision: The petition shall be filed not later than 1 year after the termination of the effective period of those titles of the Second War Powers Act. 1942. for which the effective period is specified in the last title thereof. And substitute in lieu thereof: And (3) the petition shall be filed not later than December 31. 1946. That is. any alien who has entered our Army would have all of next year in which to perfect his citizenship. Then there Is the further provision in the amendment: No person shall be naturalized under the provisions of this title unless such person had served In the military or naval forces of the United States prior to the date of enactment of this section. That is to say. if he enlists in our Army from now on he will not be entitled to the benefits of the provisions of the title. Mr.