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Pennsylvania Advisory Opinions September 02, 1904: AGO 32

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Collection: Pennsylvania Attorney General Opinions
Docket: AGO 32
Date: Sept. 2, 1904

Advisory Opinion Text

Hon. Alvey A. Adee, Department of State, Washington, D. C.:

AGO 32

Pennsylvania Attorney General Opinion

September 2, 1904

ALIENS-THE NATURALIZATION OF ALIENS IS GOVERNED BY ACT OF CONGRESS.

The laws of Pennsylvania provide that the certificates of naturalization shall be printed on parchment, and it shall be unlawful for any officer or any member of any committee or organization of any political party, or any candidate for office nominated by any political party, or by nomination papers, etc., to pay for the fees and expenses incurred by any alien in becoming naturalized.

Office of the Attorney General, Sir: Your letter of August 26 has been referred by Governor Pennypacker to me for answer.

The naturalization of aliens is governed by act of Congress and there are in this State sixty-two courts of common pleas, which, under that act have jurisdiction to naturalize; not to mention the circuit and district courts of the United States, with which you are familiar.

The laws of Pennsylvania provide that the certificates of naturalization shall be printed on parchment, and it shall be unlawful for any officer or any member of any committee or organization of any political party, or any candidate for office nominated by any political party, or by nomination papers, or for any person in behalf of said committee, organization or candidates, to pay or furnish the money to pay, or in any way become responsible for the payment of the fees and expenses directly or indirectly incurred by an alien in attending upon any court for the purpose of obtaining his naturalization papers.

This comprises the legislation of Pennsylvania upon this subject.

Yours very truly,

HAMPTON L. CAKSON, Attorney General.