What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? U.S. Federal - I'm in Washington State.
Recognizing that immigration law has changed over time I'm hoping someone here can provide some insight to this question.
My father-in-law (FIL) was born in Canada in 1923 to non-US citizens (I don't think their actual nationality makes a difference). When he was about 2 years old the family immigrated to the U.S. His father applied for and received U.S. citizenship. My FIL's older siblings all had to pass tests to be naturalized but the story passed down was that my FIL, due to his young age, was covered by his father's naturalization. My FIL used to carry a copy of his father's papers to be able to cross the US/Canadian border.
Now, I just read an item written by my FIL several years ago. He mentioned that he became a U.S. citizen when he enlisted in the Army Air Corps (WWII).
My FIL has dementia so it is a little late to ask him about this. Actually, before he had dementia I had trouble getting straight answers from him.
So my questions to this group are:
- Does the story about being naturalized by his father's papers have any historical accuracy?
- Did he become a citizen when he was naturalized with his father or did he not become naturalized until he enlisted? He has always contended he never sat for a citizenship test so I have trouble imagining the U.S. government granting citizenship just because you raised your right hand.
- Does any of this make sense to those of you conversant with the way things were?
Thank you.
Recognizing that immigration law has changed over time I'm hoping someone here can provide some insight to this question.
My father-in-law (FIL) was born in Canada in 1923 to non-US citizens (I don't think their actual nationality makes a difference). When he was about 2 years old the family immigrated to the U.S. His father applied for and received U.S. citizenship. My FIL's older siblings all had to pass tests to be naturalized but the story passed down was that my FIL, due to his young age, was covered by his father's naturalization. My FIL used to carry a copy of his father's papers to be able to cross the US/Canadian border.
Now, I just read an item written by my FIL several years ago. He mentioned that he became a U.S. citizen when he enlisted in the Army Air Corps (WWII).
My FIL has dementia so it is a little late to ask him about this. Actually, before he had dementia I had trouble getting straight answers from him.
So my questions to this group are:
- Does the story about being naturalized by his father's papers have any historical accuracy?
- Did he become a citizen when he was naturalized with his father or did he not become naturalized until he enlisted? He has always contended he never sat for a citizenship test so I have trouble imagining the U.S. government granting citizenship just because you raised your right hand.
- Does any of this make sense to those of you conversant with the way things were?
Thank you.
