In re the Applications for Citizenship of Tano

Petitions for naturalization of the above named seven petitioners were filed March 31, 1955, pursuant to § 330(a) (2) of the Immigration and Nationality-Act of 1952, 66 Stat. 251 , 8 U.S.C.A. § 1441 (a) (2).

All of the petitioners are natives of the Philippines and all served on United States vessels as stewards. None has ever been admitted to the United States for permanent residence. Some of the petitioners had five years sea service prior to September 23, 1950, the effective date of the Internal Security Act of 1950. 64 Stat. 987 . The others did not.

In order to understand the posture of these present petitions, it is necessary to briefly chronologize the pertinent statutory provisions.

Section 325(a) of the Nationality Act of 1940, 54 Stat. 1150 , 8 U.S.C. § 725 , 1946 Edition, permitted aliens who served five years on United States vessels to become naturalized without having been admitted to the United States for permanent residence. The law remained the same thereafter until 1950. Then, by the Internal Security Act of 1950, alien seamen became inadmissible to citizenship by virtue of sea service unless they had previously been lawfully admitted to the United States for…