General Discussion

dems_rightnow

(1,956 posts)

38. You're hung up on statehood.

Mon Oct 15, 2012, 06:14 PM

Oct 2012

Statehood is not required. There is no requirement that one be born in a state. The constitutional requirement is that one be born in the United States.

Our territories are the United States. There's plenty of good reading here, if you care to do so:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organized_incorporated_territory_of_the_United_States

"The Supreme Court of the United States is unanimous in its interpretation that the extension of the privileges and immunities clause of the Constitution of the United States to the inhabitants of a territory in effect produces the incorporation of that territory. The net effect of incorporation is that the territory becomes an integral part of the geographical boundaries of the United States and cannot, from then on, be separated."

Or you can continue with your quest.

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I'm not sure George Romney was a US Citizen after all. [View all] Barack_America Oct 2012 OP

Interesting questions. Very interested in hearing what all the immigration scholars think. bluerum Oct 2012 #1

Me too. Barack_America Oct 2012 #2

At the time Utah was a Territory of the US atreides1 Oct 2012 #3

When was that decided (birth in territory = US citizenship)? Did it apply to Utah? Barack_America Oct 2012 #6

Yes, it always has jberryhill Oct 2012 #55

question came up about Goldwater SCantiGOP Oct 2012 #25

Do you have a link to that? Barack_America Oct 2012 #41

I Understand That Children of US Citizens Living Abroad are US Citizens On the Road Oct 2012 #4

I don't know if it's been tested, but I doubt there's a statuatory limit. Bucky Oct 2012 #13

It depends on the naturalization laws at the time unc70 Oct 2012 #22

Presumably having been born in Utah SheilaT Oct 2012 #5

No bearing on anything, but interesting history. Barack_America Oct 2012 #10

George Romney withdrew in 1968 before questions about his status could be resolved. KurtNYC Oct 2012 #20

If that person maintained U.S. citizenship all those years, SheilaT Oct 2012 #35

The Constitution makes special provisions for people born before it was adopted starroute Oct 2012 #28

YOu're absolutely correct however it does bring up an interesting point LynneSin Oct 2012 #29

And the possibility that his own father would have been one Mitt says should "self deport" Barack_America Oct 2012 #50

How would the early Presidents not been eligible under the Constitution? LiberalFighter Oct 2012 #47

That's my point. I perhaps worded it clumsily. SheilaT Oct 2012 #59

Key passage from the "US Citizenship and Immigration Services" website.... OldDem2012 Oct 2012 #7

I can't find that Utah was considered a "certain territory". Barack_America Oct 2012 #11

The Mexican Cession of 1848.... OldDem2012 Oct 2012 #23

Looking through the constitution.... Barack_America Oct 2012 #26

What constitution has those places in it? sl8 Oct 2012 #45

Sorry, yes. My typo. Barack_America Oct 2012 #48

Barry Goldwater was born in Arizona when it was a territory. former9thward Oct 2012 #8

Would he have been considered someone who renounced his citizenship joeybee12 Oct 2012 #9

Apparently you used to lose your citizenship by voting in foreign elections. Barack_America Oct 2012 #12

I bet he did at some point... joeybee12 Oct 2012 #40

If Mitt Romney was born in the US he's an American Citizen. lunatica Oct 2012 #14

does that make Mitt an "anchor baby" ? KurtNYC Oct 2012 #15

Of course he is. I never suggested he wasn't. Barack_America Oct 2012 #17

THese discussions are NOT about Mitt's citizenship - we know he's a US Citizen LynneSin Oct 2012 #30

This is a good question for Orly Taitz! Sancho Oct 2012 #16

Oh good lord... FreeJoe Oct 2012 #18

??? Mitt is undoubtedly a US citizen. Barack_America Oct 2012 #19

George Romney not natural born unc70 Oct 2012 #24

Settled law makes clear that there are only two choices: truebluegreen Oct 2012 #32

Did George Romney immigrate? No. jberryhill Oct 2012 #57

Many claim born abroad to citizen as NB unc70 Oct 2012 #61

Yeah, both Mittsy and Annie are anchor babies. nt valerief Oct 2012 #21

Citizens born abroad are people who have one parent who is an American citizen JDPriestly Oct 2012 #27

Utah was a U.S. territory whose citizens did have voting rights cali Oct 2012 #31

Actually, as a polygamist, Mitt's ggrandfather did not have voting rights. Barack_America Oct 2012 #34

well then. continue on with your flavor of birtherism. cali Oct 2012 #36

Oh please, I'm interested in a question of constitutional law. Barack_America Oct 2012 #37

How odd. I read all of this just now & thought it was about tagging Willard as an anchor baby. Indpndnt Oct 2012 #44

Mitt is a citizen. His parents were citizens. His grandparents were citizens. Stinky The Clown Oct 2012 #33

You're hung up on statehood. dems_rightnow Oct 2012 #38

Thank you so much for that! Barack_America Oct 2012 #46

George isn't running for President! GeorgeGist Oct 2012 #39

I realize that. And Mitt Romney is undoubtedly a US citizen. Barack_America Oct 2012 #42

They were born on US Territory nadinbrzezinski Oct 2012 #43

the parents were born in the Us so they were citizens, however treestar Oct 2012 #49

US territories are considered US soil LTR Oct 2012 #51

Constitution silent on born abroad to citizens unc70 Oct 2012 #54

Rmoney should have to explain publicly how he justifies claiming US citizenship. nt SDjack Oct 2012 #52

What does Utah statehood have to do with it? jberryhill Oct 2012 #53

I couldn't find out when that was decided. My google-fu was weak. Barack_America Oct 2012 #56

What about American Samoa? sl8 Oct 2012 #62

He wasn't. The family never re-applied for the citizenship they renounced, then re-entered the WinkyDink Oct 2012 #58

The answer to that is that Utah was a US territory Spider Jerusalem Oct 2012 #60