Scotusblog here suggests that the U.S. Supreme Court is likely to accept the cert petition in Fitisemanu v U.S., the case over whether persons born in American Samoa are automatically citizens. The lower court had ruled that they are not. The case arose when some individuals living in Utah, who were born in American Samoa and who never went through the naturalization process, could register to vote in Utah. Thanks to Thomas Jones for the link.
Would this mean that folks who were residents of Philippines, Micronesia, Marshall Islands, and Palau when they were US territories would obtain US citizenship retroactively? The residents of all of those places were classified as “US nationals” when they were US territories, the same status currently held by American Samoans.
A-L-L-E-G-I-A-N-C-E since Dark Age regimes.
Last para of DOI.
Most 1775-1776 American folks — allegiance to new 1775-1777 State regimes — with thus allegiance to new 1775-1789 USA regime. Numbers of Brits moved out – some via force.
Possible court martial regimes early on in colony conquest areas – olde initial P. I. until rebellion ended.
Minor 3-2-3 problem with *peaceful* new colonies — having enough 6/7 Amdt impartial jurors – locally or brought in ???
Olde folks staying in Ex-USA colonies — allegiance to new regimes or not ???
Possible specific USA naturalization laws / treaties for olde added specific areas.
ie — mix of stuff.
Would this apply to Puerto Rico?
In the past, congress has passed legislation stating that persons born in Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and Northern Mariana Islands, are U.S. citizens. But Congress has never passed a bill like that for American Samoa. So American Samoa is the only place in which this lawsuit means anything meaningful.