Polish citizenship at the time of deportation is required for political persecution status under the Veterans Act.

The Supreme Court ruled that a person deported to Siberia during the 'dekulakization' action qualifies for political persecution status only if they held Polish citizenship at the time of the deportation. Although the National Court of Administration had granted rights based on citizenship at the time of the law's enactment, the Supreme Court clarified that the statute requires a link to Poland existing during the repression period. The court reasoned that while the law aims to compensate Polish citizens for political, national, or religious suffering, it does not extend to those who acquired citizenship decades after the events occurred.