Who was the first person to be made an honorary citizen of the United States?

Named the Greatest Briton of all time in a 2002 poll, Winston Churchill is among the most influential people in British history, consistently ranking well in opinion polls of Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom. His highly complex legacy continues to stimulate intense debate amongst writers and historians. In 1963, he was the first of only eight people to be made an honorary citizen of the United States.

A person of exceptional merit, generally a non-United States citizen, may be declared an honorary citizen of the United States by an Act of Congress or by a proclamation issued by the President of the United States, pursuant to authorization granted by Congress.

Eight people have been so honored, six posthumously, and two, Sir Winston Churchill and Mother Teresa, during their lifetimes.

Honorary citizenship should not be confused with citizenship or permanent residency bestowed by a private 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, granting Elián González US citizenship, was suggested in 1999, but was never enacted.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org

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71 Comments

Robin Heckler

Outstanding question and answer. You covered all the areas of interest in your answer.

Dennis Long

It is a documented fact that Lafayette was the first Honorary Citizen; so why is it that you differ with the facts Monsieur Grant?

graceland

Could have sworn it was lafayette rev. war hero. He should have been.

stlmark

The famous cartoonist Bill Mauldin drew a very good cartoon when this event occurred. It showed Churchill seated at a private club with a cigar in hand while an Englishman at a nearby seat shouts at him, "Bloody Yank!"

earlepg

My question about the possibility of Churchill's natural U.S. citizenship is whether his mother met the U.S. residency requirement since she was out of the U.S. since some time before his birth. Those requirements did change over time.

illonabird

Dianna Oldom Aubin, Now that was interesting information.

arthurherrforth

Laurie Bowman, thank you very much.

arthurherrforth

Swagger Joe, and forget the wanton murder at Ruby Ridge.

Richard Musal

anthonygriffin, Churchill’s Mother was a U S Citizen which automatically makes him a U S Citizen. He had duel citizenship. The answer given is wrong.

Helen Guinness

Winston Churchill's mother Jennie Jerome was American. Wouldn't he then have dual citizenship? Thoroughly enjoyed the recent movie "The Darkest Hour" about his role in WWII.

Bill Claffey

Churchill’s Mother was an American born! Thereby making your question redundant

Don Racette

William Miller Jr. You didn't get a chance to answer because your kids were making too much noise behind you.

Gerald Woerner

I thought Lafayette and this is confirmed on several websites.

Robert L. Brown

I think it is stretching a point to say Lafayette was not an "honorary" citizen because he was DECLARED a "natural born" citizen as an honor!

Laurie Bowman

Dennis Long, Lafayette was not given that honor until 2002, Winston Churchill was 1964

cbireland

Swagger Joe, don't forget Ruby Ridge.Janet Reno should have been held accountable and punished for both of these fiascos.

Swagger Joe

Elian Gonzalez was a child brought here by his mother from Cuba! The mother did so to escape Cuba and her husband! The mother died in the escape and the boy stayed with relatives already here in America. The Clinton Administration, under the direction of AG Janet Reno removed the boy and sent him back to his father in Cuba! Reno did this at 3:00 am with a Swat Yeam! Totally outrageous and unjustified! Reno was totally incompetent having also mishandled to Davidian operation causing the deaths of men, women and children grossly needlessly and she should have been brought up on charges! Another Clinton fiasco and breaking the law and justice!