In re Naturalization of Bergman, 20885.

• Decision Date: 17 June 1959
• Docket Number: No. 20885.,20885.
• Citation: 173 F. Supp. 880
• Parties: Petition for Naturalization of Carl R. BERGMAN.
• Court: U.S. District Court — District of Minnesota

173 F. Supp. 880

Petition for Naturalization of Carl R. BERGMAN.

No. 20885.

United States District Court D. Minnesota, Fourth Division.

June 17, 1959.

Benedict S. Deinard, Minneapolis, Minn., for petitioner.

Wood W. Remington, Naturalization Examiner, Immigration & Naturalization Service, St. Paul, Minn.

DEVITT, District Judge.

Carl R. Bergman, a native of Sweden, and a resident here since 1929, petitions to be naturalized a United States citizen. The Immigration & Naturalization Service opposes the petition on the ground that Bergman is barred from citizenship because, during World War II, he claimed and obtained exemption from service in the armed forces of the United States. The government cites Sections 315(a) and (b) of the Immigration & Nationality Act of 1952, 66 Stat. 163, 242, 8 U.S.C.A. § 1426(a, b), which, so far as are pertinent, read as follows:

"Sec. 315(a) * * * any alien who applies or has applied for exemption or discharge from training or service in the Armed Forces * * * of the United States on the ground that he is an alien, and is or was relieved or discharged from such training or service on such ground, shall be permanently ineligible to become a citizen of the United States.

"(b) The records of the Selective Service System * * * shall be conclusive as to whether an alien was relieved or discharged from such liability for training or service because he was an alien."

The Selective Service System records reflect that on October 16, 1940, Bergman registered under the Selective Service Training Act of 1940, amended 50 U.S.C.A.Appendix, § 301 et seq.¹ Local Draft Board No. 17 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with which he had registered, mailed him a Selective Service questionnaire and on the basis of the fact therein reflected that he was a resident neutral alien, automatically classified him IV-C (not acceptable for service because of neutral alienage). He continued in this classification until 1942, at which time Local Draft Board officers were instructed to have IV-C registrants complete an Alien's Personal History and Statement, DSS Form 304. On April 7, 1942, the Draft Board sent Bergman this form. Apparently pending the return of it, the Local Board reclassified petitioner in I Tentative (available for service) on April 10, 1942. Subsequently, on April 16, 1942, a notice to appear for a pre-induction physical examination was forwarded to Bergman.

Shortly thereafter, on April 20, 1942, petitioner executed and filed the DSS Form 304. The Board then reclassified him again in category IV-C. In filling out the answer to question 41 on that form, Bergman indicated that he objected to service in the armed forces of the United States. Immediately below the question as to objection to service, appeared the following:

"If you are a citizen or subject of a neutral country, and you do not wish to serve in the land or naval forces of the United States, you may apply to your local board for Application by Alien for Relief from Military Service (Form 301) which, when executed by you and filed with the local board, will relieve you from the obligation to serve in the land or naval forces of the United States, but will also debar you from thereafter becoming a citizen of the United States." Emphasis added.

A few days later, on April 23, 1942, Bergman executed an application by Aliens for Relief from Military Service, DSS Form 301, which had been provided him by the Local Board. In pertinent part it states:

"I do hereby make application to be relieved from liability for training and service in the land or naval forces of the United States, under the Selective Training and Service Act of 1940, * * * I understand that the making of this application to be relieved from such liability will debar me from becoming a citizen of the United States." Emphasis added.

It is undisputed that Bergman has not rendered military service. It thus appears from the foregoing recital of the uncontested facts, most of which are taken from the records of the Selective Service System, that Bergman applied for and was relieved from military service by virtue of his status as a neutral alien. Under the clear...