HC Deb 30 January 1930 vol 234 c1192W
Major POLE

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if, in view of the deprivation of American citizenship suffered by Indians in the United States of America as the result of a decision of the United States Courts., he has any information as to whether those Indians who are already in possession are permitted to retain their land?

Mr. DALTON

As my hen. and gallant Friend will be aware, each of the States of the Union has its own laws governing the holding of property, and these vary considerably. So far as California, where the majority of British Indians in the United States reside, is concerned, His Majesty's Government are not aware that proceedings have been taken in any recent cases to deprive British Indians of rights acquired by naturalisation between 1913 and 1923—that is, between the passing of the Californian Alien Land Law and the decision of the United States Supreme Court declaring British Indians ineligible for United States citizenship.

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