KinSource - Tale of the Week - The New Naturalization Law

KinSource

Minnesota Tales

The Clara City Herald, August 3, 1906, p. 1

THE NEW NATURALIZATION LAW.

The new naturalization law is a complete change from the old law. Citizenship will be more difficult to obtain, and objectionable persons will be excluded. Learning the language of the country is also made a criterion of interest in the country and fitness for citizenship. The principal provisions are as follows:

"A bureau of immigration and naturalization henceforth takes the place of the bureau of immigration in the department of commerce and labor. It is required to keep at immigrant stations books of record in which are registered all aliens entering the United States, with full details of identification.

Certificates of registry are granted each alien by government commissioners at the port of landing.

An alien desiring to become a citizen must first make oath in a competent court at least two years before naturalization, and, after reaching the age of eighteen, that it is his bona fide intention to become an American citizen, renouncing his former allegiance, giving name, age, occupation, personal description, birth-place, last foreign residence and allegiance, date of arrival, name of vessel on which he came to this country and present address.

At the end of not less than two years, and not more than seven, the applicant must file his petition in duplicate setting forth his eligibility. He must be able to speak English, and must declare that he intends to become a permanent resident of the country. This petition must be filed ninety days before the hearing in court, and be verified by two American citizens, residents of the United States for five years and of the state for one year. These citizens must testify that the applicant is of a good moral character and entitled to become a citizen. At the same time a record of the case must be furnished the department of commerce and labor. The step must be taken in open court.

The district attorney is empowered to appear in any court in the United States to examine into and, if considered necessary, to oppose naturalization.