Bhicaji Balsara

Bhicaji Framji Balsara(often misrendered asBhicaji Franyi Balsara;May 30, 1872 – 1962) was an Indian immigrant to the United States, notable for being amongst the firstIndiansto become anaturalized U.S. citizen.

Balsara was aParsiZoroastrianfromBombay.He arrived in the United States in 1900, as a cotton buyer for theTata Groupand both settled and married inNew York.He applied for citizenship in 1906 but was granted the status only in 1909 after he fought his case before two courts, theCircuit Court in New Yorkand theFederal Court of Appeal.This is as the initial presiding judge,Emile Henry Lacombein the Circuit Court only reluctantly conferred American citizenship on Balsara, as he reasoned that there "was much force in the argument that the Congress which framed the original act for naturalization of aliens... intended it to include only white persons belonging to the races whose emigrants had contributed to the building up on this continent of the community of people which declared itself a new nation...." Lacombe, however, conceded that Balsara "appears to be a gentleman of high character and exceptional intelligence."

Lacombe only gave Balsara citizenship on the hope that theUnited States attorneywould indeed challenge his decision and appeal it to create "an authoritative interpretation" of the law.

He was aided in his appeal by the minusculeSyrian Americancommunity in New York, seeking to use his case as a precedent for their own naturalization attempts.

Balsara married Louise Darre, and they had two daughters together.

See also

• Indians in the New York City metropolitan area
• Racial classification of Indian Americans
• United States v. Bhagat Singh Thind