second papers

American  

plural noun

1. (before 1952) an official petition for naturalization by a resident alien desiring to become a U.S. citizen, filed two years after the first papers and upon having lived in the United States for five years.

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Etymology

Origin of second papers

An Americanism dating back to 1910–15

Example Sentences

Perhaps it is no accident that the papers Hearst owns in Los Angeles, Boston and Seattle are the troubled second papers in those cities.

From Time Magazine Archive

Some of the second papers now in deepest trouble were slowest to abandon the autocratic attitudes that gave them their character.

From Time Magazine Archive

Statement by one of their leaders: Five per cent have second papers; from 30 to 40 per cent have first papers.

From A Stake in the Land by Speek, Peter A. (Peter Alexander)

I have had many of the settlers speak to me, desiring second papers, but they were forced to wait their period before they could secure them.

From A Stake in the Land by Speek, Peter A. (Peter Alexander)

Application was made to allow the first and second papers in this pamphlet to be printed but it was refused.

From Colonial Records of Virginia by Various