I am sure we all agree. is inconsistent with our democratic ideals. To justify this distinction among citizens. it is said that an international law doctrine applies which holds that claimants must have been citizens at the time they lost their property. If this doctrine is applied. many naturalized Americans with otherwise valid claims for damages would be excluded from compensation. Such a procedure would be doubly unjust because this is not an international matter. No foreign power is being sued or appealed to. and none is any longer involved. The assets are vested in our Government and have been for 16 years. The disposition of the assets is a matter of U.S. domestic policy. not an international question. If this doctrine is applied. the result will be domestic legislation which actually discriminates against certain citizens merely because of the date of their naturalization. This distinction is antithetical to established legislative policy with regard to domestic matters. Besides. if such a distinction were recognized. claimants naturalized after World War II would be deprived of any remedy. Foreign powers cannot be expected to repay American citizens for losses because of their former nationalities. It is absurd to contemplate a claim of this sort against countries which are now under Communist control.
Keywords matched
naturalization naturalized