Page:The American Cyclopædia (1879) Volume XII.djvu/181

 NATURALIZATION 173 satisfactory, letters of naturalization are grant- ed by that officer to the applicant upon re- nouncing his former allegiance and swearing to support the constitution; but naturalization cannot be obtained while the country to which the applicant owes allegiance is at war with Mexico. Colonists who settle new lands can be naturalized a year after they have settled, and aliens in the naval service become citizens by taking the oath of allegiance. Citizenship in Mexico is lost by residing abroad for ten years without obtaining a prolongation of the permit to be absent ; by accepting honors or offices from a foreign sovereign ; by becoming naturalized in another country ; by a citizen so establishing himself abroad as to indicate a manifest intention not to return ; by a Mexican woman upon her marriage with a foreigner, and by the children of Mexicans born out of the country who do not claim the right before they arrive at the age of 26 years (but this is supposed to be unconstitutional since 1857). The adult children of Mexican parents who have lost their citizenship also lose the right, unless they claim it and reside one year in the country after their right to citizenship is recog- nized. Finally, any Mexican who in time of war hoists a foreign flag over his house, loses his citizenship, and is punished by banishment. The children of aliens born in Mexico follow the condition of their parents, and are not deemed citizens. In Brazil three years' previ- ous residence is requisite, after which naturali- zation is obtained by a joint resolution, which must pass both chambers of the general assem- bly and be affirmed by the emperor. By a law passed in 1860 children of foreigners born in Brazil have during their minority the politi- cal condition of their parents ; but on reach- ing their majority they acquire the rights and become subject to the duties of Brazilian citi- zens. A Brazilian woman marrying an alien follows his condition, but upon becoming a widow is considered a Brazilian subject if re- siding in Brazil, or if, returning there, she de- clares her intention to fix her residence in the country ; and a foreign woman marrying a Bra- zilian has the political condition of her hus- band. In the Argentine Republic two years' residence in the country is required, or the pe- riod may be lessened where services have been rendered to the state. In Peru the governor of a department may grant naturalization upon proof of good conduct, that the applicant has resided in Peru for one year, and that he comes within the requirements of the constitution, and upon his taking the oath of allegiance. In Chili five years' previous residence is necessary ; but where an alien has married a native, this period is reduced to four years. In Paraguay foreigners who establish a character for pru- dence and discretion, and who are not politi- cal propagandists, may be naturalized with the consent of the president. In Bolivia citizenship is granted to those who renounce their former allegiance and inscribe their names upon the civil register. In Venezuela it may be obtained by transmitting a memorial through the gov- ernor of a province to the executive, with legal proof of the applicant's good conduct and of his means of subsistence, the names of his wife and children if he have any, and that he has either resided one year in the territory or sailed for six months in a war or merchant vessel of the republic, or owns real estate of a certain value, or is married to a Venezuelan woman, or that he has rendered important service to the state. If approved, letters of naturalization are sent to the governor, who delivers them upon the applicant's taking an oath before him or before the jefe politico that he will obey the constitution and laws ; and the wife and minor children become naturalized with him, their names and ages being indorsed upon the letters. In Ecuador a foreigner may be naturalized if he owns real estate or $1,000 in money, or is engaged in some industrial pursuit, upon making known his intention to the governor of a province ; in Colombia, by sending a memorial through the governor of a province to the executive, sta- ting the applicant's nationality, and the names of his wife and children if he have any, and by taking an oath to obey the constitution and laws and renouncing his former allegiance, his wife and minor children becoming naturalized with him. In the states of Central America the more general rule is, as in Brazil, to nat- uralize the alien either by the executive or by a legislative act. In Costa Rica an applica- tion must be made to the president of the re- public, accompanied by proof that the peti- tioner has resided there six years, of his good conduct during that period, and of his having honest means of subsistence. Letters of natu- ralization are then granted him by the presi- dent on renouncing his previous national al- legiance. In Honduras a foreigner is natural- ized by acquiring real estate and a residence of four years, but if one marries a Hondurian wife this period is reduced to two years; or a letter of naturalization may be obtained from the legislature for services rendered to the state, for an important improvement in agriculture or the arts, or for introducing a new manufacture in the country. In San Sal- vador he is naturalized by acquiring real estate and a residence of five years, or by contract- ing marriage with a Salvadorian woman and a residence of three years, or by obtaining a letter of naturalization from the legislative body in the same way and for the same causes as in Honduras. In Nicaragua letters of natu- ralization may be granted by congress after two years' residence in the republic. . In most of the states of Central America naturalization is granted by the legislature to resident foreign- ers generally upon application, without insist- ing upon any conditions ; the clause that it is upon the ground of important services to the state, &c., being usually inserted in the letters of naturalization as a mere matter of form.