the first us law passed regarding naturalization was in 1790.
the first us law passed regarding naturalization was in 1790.
when was the first us law passed regarding naturalization?
1790
catron discussed federal law on naturalization of immigrants as american citizens. the declaration of independence had included in the offenses of the british king that he had "endeavored to prevent the population of the colonies by obstructing the laws for the naturalization of foreigners, and refusing to pass others to encourage their migration hither." the us constitution commits to congress the power "to establish a uniform rule of naturalization." catron discussed congressional implementation of its jurisdiction over naturalization. on march 26, 1790 congress enacted legislation, permitting any immigrant alien who was a "free white person" to become a naturalized united states citizen after only two years of residence in the united states. congress later (april 14, 1802) amended the naturalization statute to require five years of residence. catron waxed regarding the benefits that promoting immigration had conferred on the united states:
passenger cases
another factor leading to its passage was initiated by the presidential administration of the time. the roosevelt administration assembled a commission to examine the naturalization laws of the time, and to make recommendations on how to avoid the abuses that led to inappropriate granting of citizenship. the lack of regulatory oversight regarding naturalization of foreigners was a topic that commanded concern for the roosevelt administration. this commission went on to suggest an english literacy requirement for the naturalization of american citizens. additionally, the commission "recommended classifying and summarizing naturalization laws into a code (re-codification), the creation of a federal agency to oversee naturalization procedures, and standard forms for all u.s. naturalizations, including a form for the oath of allegiance."
naturalization act of 1906