Naturalization
in law, the act of placing an alien in the position, or investing him with the rights and privileges of a natural-born subject. The naturalization laws of the United States are wholly the fabric of the Federal Government, while the privileges attendant, so far as regards suffrage, etc., are left to the discretion and gift of the various State legislatures. For a foreigner to become a citizen of the United States it is necessary for him, first, to declare his bona fide intention to become a citizen, and the declaration must be made at least two years before "final papers" are taken out. It must be made before a United States Circuit or District Court, or (in a Territory) before the Supreme Court or District Court, or (in a State) before a court having a common law jurisdiction and a clerk and seal. At the time of admission to citizenship, the applicant must have been, at least five years previously, a resident of the United States, and must produce evidence that he is a fit subject on whom to confer the rights of citizenship, and must, further, renounce allegiance to all foreign princes and governments-particularly to the one to which he was last su subjec subject. After admission he is, in all respects, a citizen of the United States and entitled, in every regard, to the same protection that the native-born citizen is. In the case of children of a foreigner, who, at the time of their father's naturalization, were not of legal age, the act of the father is considered as conferring citizenship on them, and further process is unnecessary. Chinamen cannot be naturalized. The children of citizens of the United States, if born abroad, are American citizens, and entitled to protection as such. In some of the States a foreigner who has declared his intention to become a citizen is permitted to vote, while in others none but full-fledged citizens are admitted to that privilege. By a law of 1913 all matters relating to naturalization were in the hands of the Bureau of Naturalization of the Department of Labor. By a law passed by Congress in 1919 honorably discharged soldiers and sailors who served in the World War are exempted from declaration of intention, fees, and proof of five years' residence.
In biology, the introduction of plants through human agency into new lands or regions.