Justice Curtis stated: "The first section of the second Article of the Constitution used language "a natural born citizen." It thus assumes that citizenship may be acquired by birth. Undoubtedly. this language of the Constitution was used in reference to that principle of public law. well understood in this country at the time of the adoption of the Constitution. which referred citizenship to the place of birth. The fourth clause of section 8 of Article I of the Constitution of the United States gives to Congress authority "to establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization. ..". and Congress has established and frequently amended uniform rules for the naturalization of children born outside of the jurisdiction of the United States (i.e. aliens) in Section 1401 et seq. of Title 8. U.S. Code. To many It has granted automatic naturalization. provided timely advantage is taken of the rights by the person concerned. Examples of these were persons whose fathers were citizens. later (1934) persons of whom either of the parents were citizens (not including illegitimates). and still later (1952) illegitimate children whose mothers were citizens. To other aliens having no citizen parents the process of naturalization required an application to and order of a federal court. But. whether the naturalization be automatic due to citizen parentage or by court decree for others. the fact remained that for all persons born outside of the jurisdiction of the United States a naturalization by authority of Congress has been required in order to become a citizen. Native born citizens hold citizenship by birth. U.S. v.
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Naturalization naturalization