Citizenship status in territories of the United States (2024)

FAQs

Citizenship status in territories of the United States? ›

Individuals born in each of these territories, with the exception of American Samoa, are considered to be United States citizens. Residents of U.S. territories do not pay federal income taxes, but they may serve in the U.S. military and are subject to most federal laws.

Yes, they are US Citizens and have the same rights as a US Citizen born in any of the 50 States. Legal residents of the territories, regardless of where they were born, have limited representation in Congress and 0 electoral votes so they cannot vote for President or Vice President.

Under Article IV of the U.S. Constitution, a territory is subject to and belongs to the United States (but not necessarily within the national boundaries or any individual state). This includes tracts of land or water not included within the limits of any State and not admitted as a State into the Union.

A person may derive or acquire U.S. citizenship at birth. Persons who are born in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction of the United States are citizens at birth. Persons who are born in certain territories of the United States also may be citizens at birth.

In 1978, the Northern Mariana Islands was granted self-governance separate from the rest of the TTPI, and in 1986, islanders were granted US citizenship, with the territory coming under US sovereignty as the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI).

Federal law excludes millions of American citizens from crucial public benefits simply because they live in the United States territories. If the Social Security Administration determines a low-income individual has a disability, that person can move to another state and continue to receive benefits.

Guam. Guam is an unincorporated territory of the United States, meaning that only certain parts of the U.S. Constitution apply to its residents. Individuals born in Guam are considered citizens of the United States. They may vote in federal elections if they reside in one of the 50 states or Washington, DC.

Every year, people move to or from a U.S. territory such as American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Broadly, an individual resident of a territory is exempt from U.S. tax on income that has a source in that territory but is subject to U.S. tax on U.S.-source and non-possession-source income. A corporation that is organized in a territory is generally treated as a foreign corporation for U.S. tax purposes.

The United States currently holds five major, permanently inhabited territories: American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI).

Can you be president if born in a U.S. territory? ›

This same CRS report also asserts that citizens born in the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, are legally defined as "natural born" citizens and are, therefore, also eligible to be elected president.

Therefore every person born within the United States, its territories or districts, whether the parents are citizens or aliens, is a natural born citizen in the sense of the Constitution, and entitled to all the rights and privileges appertaining to that capacity.

American Samoa is a U.S. territory located in the South Pacific Ocean. Despite being a part of the United States, American Samoans are not automatically granted U.S. citizenship at birth. This has been a topic of debate and controversy for many years, with American Samoans fighting for their right to citizenship.

The CNMI—which includes the islands of Saipan, Tinian, and Rota—is an unincorporated territory and a commonwealth of the U.S. The CNMI constitution restricts permanent ownership of land to people of Northern Marianas descent. Those who aren't of Northern Marianas descent can hold property for a maximum of 55 years.

Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands

Your last option for a tropical vacation without a passport is Saipan, one of the 14 lush Northern Mariana Islands, a U.S. commonwealth. The Micronesian paradise has been called "America's best-kept secret."

The Virgin Islands of the United States come within the definition of "United States" given in section 101(a)(38) Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). A person born there now acquires U.S. citizenship in the same way as one born in any of the 50 States.

U.S. citizens do not need a passport to travel between the U.S. and these territories: Guam. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Puerto Rico.

What is the Current Status of American Samoans? American Samoans are considered U.S. nationals, which means they are entitled to some rights and protections under U.S. law, but they are not considered U.S. citizens. American Samoans cannot vote in U.S. elections, run for political office, or serve on a jury.

All persons born in Puerto Rico on or after January 13, 1941, and subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, are citizens of the United States at birth. (June 27, 1952, ch.