Section 38A. Every alien who has made the primary declaration to become a citizen of the United States under the federal naturalization laws shall, upon otherwise complying with section thirty-seven, be permitted to file a petition in the supreme judicial or superior court to be examined for admission as an attorney at law, and to take the examinations held under said section; provided, that upon passing such examinations and otherwise meeting the requirements for admission as set forth in said section, the board of bar examiners shall not recommend his admission until satisfied that the applicant has become a citizen of the United States. No alien who claimed exemption during the world war on the ground of being an alien shall be entitled to the benefits of this section.