Churchill's identification document as an honorary citizen, provided as a gift from PresidentKennedy. Though similar in appearance, it could not function as a passport.[1]
Eight people have been so honored: sixposthumously, and two,Sir Winston Churchill andMother Teresa, during their lifetimes. Forthe Marquis de Lafayette and Mother Teresa, the honor was proclaimed directly by an Act of Congress. In the other cases, an Act of Congress was passed authorizing the President to grant honorary citizenship by proclamation. What rights and privileges honorary citizenship bestows, if any, are unclear. According toU.S. Department of State documents, it does not grant eligibility forU.S. passports.[1]
Lafayette boasted in 1792 that he had become an American citizen before theFrench Revolution created the concept ofFrench citizenship.[9] In 1803, PresidentThomas Jefferson wrote that he would have offered to make LafayetteGovernor of Louisiana, had he been "on the spot".[10] In 1932, descendantRené de Chambrun established his American citizenship based on the Maryland resolution,[11][12] although he was probably ineligible for the distinction, as the inherited citizenship was likely only intended for direct descendants who were heir to Lafayette's estate and title.[13] TheBoard of Immigration Appeals ruled in 1955 that "it is possible to argue" that Lafayette and living male heirs became American citizens when theU.S. Constitution became effective on March 4, 1789, but that heirs born later were not U.S. citizens.[5]
Honorary citizenship should not be confused with citizenship orpermanent residency bestowed by aprivate bill. Private bills are, on rare occasions, used to provide relief to individuals, often in immigration cases, and are also passed by Congress and signed into law by the president. One such statute, grantingElián González U.S. citizenship, was suggested in 1999 but never enacted.[14]
Polish military officer who saved the life ofGeorge Washington, and fought and died for the United States against the British during theAmerican Revolutionary War; notable politician and member of thePolish–Lithuanian Commonwealthnobility, American brigadier general who has been called "The Father of the American Cavalry" and died during theSiege of Savannah. Remembered as a national hero both in Poland and in the United States.[22][23][24]
ASpanish officer and governor who was a hero of theAmerican Revolutionary War, risking his life for the freedom of United States citizens; provided supplies, intelligence, and strong military support to the war effort; was wounded during theSiege of Pensacola, demonstrating bravery that forever endeared him to the United States soldiers.[26]
^abIN THE MATTER OF M, 6 IN Dec. 749 (B.I.A. 1955) ("We need not consider the precise effect of the Maryland act of 1784 upon the political status of Lafayette and such of his male heirs as had been born prior to the date when the Constitution of the United States became effective (March 4, 1789). It is possible to argue that they were citizens of Maryland and under Section 2 of Article IV of the United States Constitution should be considered citizens of the United States. However, we hold that when Congress by legislation set forth the requirements for citizenship, the descendents of Lafayette who were born thereafter could only acquire United States citizenship on the terms specified by Congress, and they were not in a position to acquire such citizenship by virtue of the Maryland act of 1784."), archived fromthe original on October 10, 2016.
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