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House Committee Backs Easing of Citizenship Requirements for Parents of Servicemen

November 21, 1944
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The immigration and naturalization committee today approved a bill to make it easier for the parents of men and women in the armed forces to become citizens.

The bill, introduced by Rep. Noah M. Mason, Ill. Republican, also provides for relaxation of educational requirements for aliens over fifty who have lived in the United States continuously since 1924. If the bill is passed, elderly aliens will be able to be naturalized without having to learn English. Reps. Fisher and Gossett.Texas Democrats, and Rep. Ellis, W. Virginia Democrat, opposed the bill.

Testifying before the committee today, Edward J.Shaughnessy, assistant to the Commissioner of Immigration and Naturalization, denied the charge by Rep. Clare Hoffman, Michigan Republican, that thousands of unauthorized refugees have arrived in the United States since 1943 by air. Hoffman has introduced a resolution in the House asking information regarding the number of such “refugees.” Shaughnessy told the committee that there has been “no flood of unauthorized immigrants.” “As a matter of fact,” he said. “immigration is practically at a total standstill.”

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