Volume 52
Public Law 75–225
To correct United States citizenship status of certain persons born in Puerto Rico, and for other purposes
Approved May 16, 1938
Statutory text
AN ACT
To correct United States citizenship status of certain persons born in Puerto Rico, and for other purposes
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
That a new section
Puerto Rico, civil government.
is hereby inserted between sections 5b and 6 of the Act entitled “An Act to provide a civil government for Porto Rico, and for other purposes”, approved March 2, 1917, as amended, as follows:
“Sec. 5c.
That any person of good character, attached to the principles
U. S. citizenship status of certain persons born in Puerto Rico.
of the Constitution of the United States, and well disposed to the good order and happiness of the United States, and born in Puerto Rico on or after April 11, 1899, who has continued to reside within the jurisdiction of the United States, whose father elected on or before April 11, 1900, to preserve his allegiance to the Crown of Spain in accordance with the provisions of the treaty of peace between the United States and Spain entered into on April 11, 1899, and who, by reason of misinformation regarding his or her own citizenship status failed within the time limits prescribed by section 5 or section 5a hereof to exercise the privilege of establishing United States citizenship and has heretofore erroneously but in good faith exercised the rights and privileges and performed the duties of a citizen of the United States, and has not personally sworn allegiance to any foreign government or ruler upon or after attainment of majority, may make a sworn declaration of allegiance to the
Procedure.
United States before any United States district court. Such declaration shall set forth facts concerning his or her birth in Puerto Rico, good character, attachment to the principles of the Constitution of the United States, and being well disposed to the good order and happiness of the United States, residence within the jurisdiction of the United States, and misinformation regarding United States citizenship status, and shall be accompanied by proof thereof satisfactory to the court. After making such declaration and submitting such proofs, such person shall be admitted to take the oath of allegiance before the court, and thereupon shall be considered a citizen of the United States.”
Approved, May 16, 1938.