Stating that “certain parts of the present procedure too often serve to lower the morale of non-citizens, who become discouraged and confused by the lengthily waiting periods involved in each step of the naturalization process, unnecessary technicalities and arbitrary procedure,” the American Committee for protection of Freeing Born today urged adjustment of the naturalization procedure as a “War-time necessity” in a special memorandum submitted to the Immigration and Naturalization Service.
The memorandum recommends substitution of a new 6-stop procedure for the naturalization of non-citizens in place of the present 12 steps required before an alien can become an American citizen. It recommends also that the present requirements for a Certificate of Lawful Entry be made less severe and that the present date of July 1, 1924, be advanced to 1930.
Two other recommendations are the elimination of educational and literacy requirements for non-citizens, 50 years of age or older, who have resided in the United States since 1924 and that the naturalization laws be amended to enable all non-citizens inducted into the armed forces of the United States to become citizens immediately, regardless of the manner in which they entered the country.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
