Girouard v. United States

Girouard v. United States, 328 U.S. 61 (1946), was a case decided by the Supreme Court of the United States. It concerned a pacifist applicant for naturalization who in the interview declared not to be willing to fight for the defense of the United States. The case questioned a precedent set by United States v. Schwimmer in 1929 that denied an applicant entry to the United States because of her pacifist stance. Girouard v. United States overturned that precedent by voting in favor of Girouard's religious freedom through allowing him to uphold his Seventh-day Adventist beliefs.^[1][2][3]

Background

James Girouard was a Canadian citizen who applied to become an American citizen. When asked if he would fight for the U.S., he responded "No, I am a Seventh-day Adventist." Girouard stated that he believed in the democratic ideal, but asserted that he was an uncompromising pacifist. The response was similar to Rosika Schwimmer's (United States v. Schwimmer) who said, "My cosmic consciousness of belonging to the human family is shared by all those who believe that all human beings are the children of God."

Opinion of the Court

Justice William O. Douglas wrote the majority opinion.

The Court held in a 5–3 decision that citizenship should be allowed. The majority stated that the oath aliens are required to take to become citizens does not require them to bear arms in defense of the United States. The court also drew support from the Second War Powers Act, enacted by Congress in 1942, which relaxed naturalization requirements for aliens who served in the United States Armed Forces during World War II, including those who served in non-combatant roles. The court explained that serving in a combatant role is not the only way to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States, and that Girouard should not be denied citizenship because of his religious pacifism.

Dissent and Death of Justice Stone

Chief Justice Harlan Stone argued against granting citizenship in his dissent, joined by Justices Reed and Frankfurter. Justice Stone cited The Nationality Act of 1940, explaining that this act was the method Congress chose for determining whether aliens met the requirements to become citizens. He argued that the Second War Powers Act of 1942 did not apply in this case because the aliens covered under the 1942 act had already served in the armed forces in defense of the United States, and was not intended to include those who had not previously rendered military service to the United States.

Justice Stone became ill immediately after reading (or, according to one author,^[4] while reading) his dissenting opinion in open court. Chief Justice Stone died later that day at his home in Washington, DC.^[5]

Notes

Girouard v. United States overturned three previous Supreme Court decisions. They were:

• United States v. Schwimmer 279 US 644
• United States v. Macintosh 283 US 605
• United States v. Bland 283 US 636

See also

• List of United States Supreme Court cases, volume 328

References

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