Reading Room Document

Application of Section 701 of the Nationality Act to native Filipinos

The attorney general requested the OLC’s opinion on whether “native Filipinos, who have always been domiciled in the Philippine Islands [are] entitled to the benefits of section 701 of the Nationality Act, relating to the naturalization of non-citizens in the armed forces of the United States.” The OLC concluded that the because the Philippines had been understood to be included under the meaning of the phrase “United States, including its territories and possessions” in the Nationality Act of 1940, native Filipinos were entitled to naturalization. The OLC also noted that over 7,000 individuals were naturalized between 1940 and 1945, and urged the attorney general not to adopt a different construction of the law without legislation.

June 23, 1945