ALIEN (Lat, alicnus, strange, foreign). One recognized by the State in which he sojourns as owing primary allegiance to a foreign sovereign. It is used ordinarily in contradistinction to cit izen (q.v.). An alien may become a citizen by naturalization (q.v.). Alien friend and alien enemy denote, respectively, an alien whose coun try is at peace, or is at war, with the country where he is sojourning. In Great Britain the flatus of aliens is regulated by the Naturalization Act of 1870 (33 and 34 Viet. e. 14). In this eoun try their status is determined generally by State laws, although these arc subject to some modi fieation by treaties between the Federal Govern ment and that of a foreign country. An alien does not possess political rights, nor is he subject to the political duties of a citizen, and vet he may be required to serve in the militia or police of the country where lie is residing, and to con tribute to the support of such establishments. At eommon law an alien could not become an owner of real property, although a distinction was made between a case of title by purchase (q.v.) and by descent (q.v.). If an alien acquired title by purchase, as by a grant (q.v.). or devise (q.v.), he was allowed to hold it until office found (q.v.), that is, until his alienate was duly established, upon inquiry instituted by the proper official, while apparent title by de scent was absolutely invalid. This common law
disability has been removed in England, as well as in many of our States; and aliens may now acquire, convey, and transmit title to real and personal property in the same manner as citi zens. An alien friend may eontract, sue, and he sued as though he were a citizen while he is allowed to remain in the country; but he may be expelled or deported at any time. subject to treaty stipulations; his immigration may be pre vented, or may be permitted, subject to imposed conditions. An alien enemy is not allowed to maintain an action in the courts of this country, unless he can show some special authority or license therefor; but he may be sued here. Nor can he enter into valid contracts with citizens which are inconsistent with a state of war. The tendency of modern law is to accord to alien enemies, who are permitted to remain in a coun try, all the rights and privileges of alien friends. Consult: Nelson, Meet Cases, Statutes, and Orders Illustrative of the Principles of Private International Law (London, 1889) ; Cockburn, Nationality (London, 1869).