Insular areas of the United States

From Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Location of the insular areas:
 
The USA
 
incorporated unorganized Territory
 
unincorporated organized territory
 
Commonwealth status
 
unincorporated unorganized territory
English: Insular areas and Dependent territories of the United States
Insular areas of the United States

An insular area is a United States territory that is neither a part of one of the fifty states nor a part of the District of Columbia, the nation's federal district.

Because those insular areas that are inhabited are unincorporated territories, their native-born inhabitants are not constitutionally entitled to United States citizenship under the Citizenship Clause. However, Congress has extended citizenship rights to all inhabited territories with the exception of American Samoa, and these citizens may vote and run for office in any U.S. jurisdiction in which they are resident. Residents of American Samoa are U.S. nationals, but not U.S. citizens; they are free to move around and seek employment within the whole United States without immigration restrictions, but cannot vote or hold office outside of American Samoa.

Classification of current U.S. territories

Incorporated organized territories

none since 1959

Incorporated unorganized territories

Unincorporated organized territories

Unincorporated unorganized territories

References

[edit]