Alien Friend in United Kingdom

Meaning of Alien Friend

The following is an old definition of Alien Friend [1]: A citizen or subject of a friendly power; one whose country is at peace with ours.1 By the common law a person born within the dominion of the United States is a natural-born citizen whatever the status of his parents. An exception is made of the children of ambassadors. “An ” alien born ” may not purchase lands for his own use, for the king is thereupon entitled to them:’ One reason is that if he could purchase, the nation might in time become subject to foreign influence. But he may acquire personalty, which is of a movable nature; besides that, trade demands this indulgence. As a consequence he may maintain actions concerning personalty, and dispose of it by will. An “alien enemy,” however, has no rights unless by the sovereign’s special favor. By the common law an alien may take lands by purchase, though not by descent; in other words, while he cannot take by the act of the law he may take by the act of the party. But he has no capacity to hold lands, and they may be seized into the hands of the sovereign. Until so seized, the alien has complete dominion over them. In this regard alien friends and alien enemies are alike. The title is devested by offlce-found,. v. Disabilities as to holding realty have been removed in the States. See Land, Public. At common law an alien is protected in his person, as to such property as he may own, in his relative rights, and in his reputation. In return for protection he is required to pay taxes. He cannot become President, nor, in some States, governor. Seven years after he has been naturalized he may be elected to Congress. Unnaturalized, he could not be adjudged a bankrupt, he cannot take out a copyright, nor can he exercise any political right. See Patent; Trade-mark. See further Allegiance; Citizen; Denizen; Immigration; Naturalize.

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Notes and References

1. Concept of Alien Friend provided by the Anderson Dictionary of Law (1889) (Dictionary of Law consisting of Judicial Definitions and Explanations of Words, Phrases and Maxims and an Exposition of the Principles of Law: Comprising a Dictionary and Compendium of American and English Jurisprudence; William C. Anderson; T. H. Flood and Company, Law Publishers, Chicago, United States)