Document: 338 U.S. 491 70 S.Ct. 292 94 L.Ed. 287 SAVORGNANv.UNITED STATES et al. No. 48. Argued Nov. 7—9, 1949. Decided Jan. 9, 1950. Rehearing Denied March 13, See 339 916, 564. Messrs. Suel O. Arnold, Milwaukee, Wis., Carl A. Flom, Madison, for petitioner. Mr. Oscar H. Davis, Washington, D.C., respondents. Justice BURTON delivered the opinion of Court. 1 The question is whether, under special circumstances this case, a native-born American citizen who became an Italian in 1940, and lived Italy with her husband from 1941 to 1945, nevertheless retained citizenship. For reasons hereinafter stated, we hold that she did not. controlling statutes are § 2 Citizenship Act 1907,1 §§ 401, 403 104 its successor, Nationality 1940.2 petitioner, Rosette Sorge Savorgnan, brought action United States District Court Western Wisconsin, 503 54 Stat. 1171, 8 U.S.C. 903, U.S.C.A. judgment declaring be citizen. That court decided favor. 73 F.Supp. 109. Appeals Seventh Circuit reversed remanded case directions dismiss petition against because it had not consented sued, enter favor other defendants conformity opinion. 171 F.2d 155. Because importance decision determining citizenship, granted certiorari. 337 914, 69 1158. 3 Insofar as material, undisputed facts those found by follows: 4 petitioner was born Wisconsin 1915 parents resided until July, 1941. In March, intended husband, Alessandro citizen, serving Vice Consul at St. Louis, Missouri. He informed that, law, would have become before he could obtain necessary royal consent their marriage. She applied prepared application. It which understood, but understand. August, November, appeared Savorgnan Consulate Chicago, Illinois, and, his presence, signed instrument contained oath, Italian, expressly renouncing citizenship swearing allegiance King Italy.3 No ceremony or formal administration oath accompanied signature apparently none required. understood signing do securing required marry her, translate explain contents her. fact time each documents mentioned, although intending no intention endangering States. 5 December 26, were married. 1941, when diplomatic officials leave States, passport issued embarked husband. remained except six months spent Germany. While family Rome, where worked Foreign Ministry. returned America on later requested Commissioner Immigration Naturalization Service correct records office show return America. request denied instituted present proceeding. 6 There evidence maintaining, any after marriage, residence, dwelling place general abode apart Court, however, times application containing Italy, intend establish 'permanent residence' country than also left 'she so without establishing permanent residence abroad abandoning divesting herself citizenship.' page 110. We thus face two principal questions: 7 I. What effect upon petitioner's applying obtaining citizenship? Government contends thereby naturalized foreign state laws within meaning either 1907 401(a) 1940.4 further require condition expatriation, she, therefore, was, then there, effectively expatriated Act, merely becoming while still remaining agree naturalized, find pass contention such naturalization there herself, lost taking up abroad.5 II. 1945? even if lose took Italy. agree. expatriation effected 19406 continued saving clause 1940.7 unnecessary choose between these contentions leads same conclusion case. 9 applyingfor 10 requirements objective.8 section provides 'any shall deemed himself has been laws, taken state.'9 11 Traditionally supported right natural inherent all people.10 Denial, restriction, impairment questioning declared Congress, 1868, inconsistent fundamental principles Government.11 From beginning, one most obvious effective forms another nation. However, due common-law prohibition sovereign, our courts hesitated recognize citizens, naturalization, express Government.12 Congress finally gave specific terms stated 1940. Those Acts read light declaration policy favoring freedom stands unrepealed. Hackworth, Digest International Law 242—250 (1942). 12 One novel meet 1907,13 take boundaries state. answer phrase states * *' (emphasis supplied) refers into does refer proceeding occurs. matter more clearly dealt 1940.14 Section lists 'Obtaining state, means losing nationality. 403(a) result performance acts listed 401 'within national performing them 'thereafter takes abroad.' Thus recognized 'naturalization state' included proceedings led 13 B. give accepted intent should prevail. citizens objectively.15 suggestion statutory language specified overt acts, voluntarily done, conditioned undisclosed person doing them. 14 long undesirability dual allegiances. Since 1795, alien seeking declare 'that both absolutely entirely renounce abjure fidelity every prince, potentate, sovereignty whatever, particularly name, sovereignty, whereof subject; *.' 414, see 735(a), 735(a).16 Temporary limited duality arisen inevitably differences respective nations effective. nothing, implies congressional performed act spells wording statute, he, nevertheless, can preserve showing understanding contrary usual legal consequences act.17 15 This interpreting existed 1922, passed substantially question. provided woman marries foreigner nationality husband.' 34 1228, repealed 42 1022. provision effect, married subject Great Britain residing California. On being advised done so, sought writ mandamus compel local Board Elections register voter showed qualifications registration, established held during coverture, binding consequence marriage spite accordingly relief. Mackenzie v. Hare, 239 299, 36 106, 60 297, Ann.Cas.1916E, 645. also, Ex parte Griffin, C.C.N.D.N.Y., 237 F. 445. Cf. Perkins Elg, 307 325, 59 884, 83 1320. 16 instant competent adult. knowingly obtained citizenship.18 Her understand, understand able knew instruments related important depended. responsible they English. basis, Whatever may be, bound 17 C. vigorously sufficient 1907, affirm reference subsequent abroad. recognizing force alternative ground affirmance, rest it. is, entitled noted. Government's argument now 1907. concedes, least since 1933, State Department considered element expatriation. view, 1945 makes determine, what status so. 18 residencein 19 including repeal January 1941.19 began date. contended determined 1940.20 find, whether resort clause. Accordingly, determine here tested 1940.21 20 met Sections used 'residence' 'place abode' mention concerned.22 cleared uncertainties early decisions type amount, any, expatriation.23 contrast as: 'temporary residence,' 'domicile,' 'removal, effects,' 'absolute removal' new term plainly possible denote objective fact.24 To identify only abode.' Confirmation simplification appears Report Revision Codification Laws submitted Secretary State, Attorney General Labor bill 1940: 21 'Definitions frequently include future abode. hereof made intent, actual sole test residence. words abode,' second paragraph 2, (34 1228), seem speak themselves. They relate person.'25 22 failed 'July (Emphasis supplied.) Under issue leaving nor time, did, 'reside' period, fact, 'principal place' testified months' internment Salzburg, reasons, wishes Rome 'domicile' distinguished 'residence,' place,' material. followed abroad.26 23 Appeals, accordingly, affirmed, 24 Affirmed. 25 DOUGLAS part consideration 26 FRANKFURTER, whom BLACK joins, reinstated. course determines conduct. But 1940 raise issues allowably follow basis finding, disturbed. 'Sec. 2. 'When years came, five presumed ceased said years: Provided, presumption overcome presentation satisfactory consular officer rules regulations prescribe: And allowed expatriate war.' (1934 ed.) 17. 401. A birth by: '(a) Obtaining own through parent having custody person: '(b) Taking making affirmation state; 1168—1169, 801(a) (b), 801(a, b). 403. (a) Except subsections (g), (h), (i) himself, expatriated, (*) outlying possessions, possessions fulfillment conditions thereafter 1169—1170, 58 677, 803(a), 803(a). 'this section' evident context ready explanation originally proviso 401(h) H.R. 6127, 76th Cong., 1st Sess. (1940). Hearings House Committee superseded 9980, 9980 104. purposes sections 201, 307(b), 403, 404, 405, 406, 407 residence.' 1138, 504, 504. translation shows following statement: 'The (Rosetta rus Sorge, who, case), pronounced words: "I, Rosetta Andrus I truth my swear faithful H.M. Albania, Emperor Ethiopia, successors, loyally observe Kingdom Italy." notes supra. claims meanings 401(b) note 347(a) set out full 20, infra. true (b) Bauer Clark, Cir., 161 397; Reynolds Haskins, 473, 45 A.L.R. 759; ex rel. De Cicco Longo, D.C.Conn., 46 170; Wrona Karnuth, D.C.W.D.N.Y., 770. text, 1, Santissima Trinidad, Wheat. 283, 454; Murray Charming Betsy, Cranch 64, 64; Case Isaac Williams, Ellsworth, C.J., 82—83, note; Talbot Jansen, Dall. 133, 540; D.C.N.D.N.Y., 445; Comitis Parkerson, C.C.E.D.La., 56 556, L.R.A. 148; Op.Atty.Gen. 295 (1872 1874); 139 (1856—1857). 'Whereas people, indispensable enjoyment rights life, liberty, pursuit happiness; whereas recognition principle government freely received emigrants nations, invested citizenship; claimed descendents, subjects states, owing governments thereof; maintenance public peace claim promptly disavowed: Therefore, 'Be enacted Senate Representatives assembled, declaration, instruction, opinion, order, officers denies, restricts, impairs, questions hereby government.' 223—224, R.S. 1999, 800, 800. above language, enacted, apply especially immigrants emphasize people themselves native nationalities. secure newly acquired broad enough cover, corresponding Note 10, 8, statute requires form: 'I declare, heretofore citizen; will support defend Constitution enemies, domestic; bear faith same; obligation mental reservation purpose evasion: So help me God. acknowledgment hereunto affixed signature.' 1157, 735(b), 735(b). 243, 244 1906, appointed proposed provisions them: 'It conflicting different countries child double allegiance; man permitted deliberately position services one.' Doc. 326, 59th 2d (1906—1907). Similarly, legislative history contains intimation subjective material hand, clear relevant restatement historic 489, 408 added number per se These included, among others, entering armed forces accepting nationals eligible, voting political election Lack abandon certainly offset these. fortiori mature greater World War enact legislation assist men regain permit enlist armies certain nations. 40 340, 542 seq. 55 Cong.Rec. 6935, 7665—7666 (1917); S.Rep. 388, 65th 7—8 (1917—1918); H.R.Rep. 532, 3—4 608—609, 6011—6012 (1917 1918). '* forsaking difficult situation, expediency, attempted excuse conduct crass considerations suggest course, duress.' Doreau Marshall, 170 721, 724; see, cases real duress, Dos Reis Nicolls, 860; Schioler D.C.N.D.Ill., 75 353; re Gogal, D.C.W.D.Pa., 268. 601 1172, 1174, 904, 906, 906. apparent gap coverage 347. Nothing chapter V (including 504 1907) unless otherwise therein, construed affect validity intention, certificate document valid effect; prosecution, suit, action, proceedings, civil criminal, brought, act, thing, matter, existing, prosecutions, suits, actions, things, matters, parts effect.' 1168, 747(a), 747(a). clause: herein terminate lawfully acquired, restore law treaty party.' 904. (see supra) antecedent naturalizations oaths allegiance, well ones. 'A retroactive draws operation.' Cox Hart, 260 427, 435, 43 154, 157, 67 332. 443, 78 1353; Bradley, 483; Rojak 219; 39 474 (1937—1940). Where intended, term. E.g., 308 1143, 1170, 708, 807, 807. 417 If quoted supra, mean need character practice some believe reflect

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