By Susan Martin

Professor Emerita, Georgetown University

Naturalization of immigrants in the United States is as old as the republic itself and reflects some of the country’s positive and negative history. The Declaration of Independence accused the British Crown of “obstructing the laws for naturalization of foreigners.” It is the seventh articulated abuse (out of 28), reflecting the seriousness of the charge. With ratification of the U.S. Constitution, responsibility for naturalization was given to the Congress, rather than the states (which had responsibility previously) or the Executive and Judicial branches of government (Article I, Section 8). As such, Congress has the power to establish a “uniform rule of naturalization.” In 1790, Congress passed its first naturalization law, gran

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