Case: Pangilinan v. Castro

1:79-cv-00006 | District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands

Filed Date: Jan. 17, 1979

Closed Date: 1989

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

In 1979, the plaintiffs, 85 individuals who renounced their Filipino citizenship in 1977 in order to become citizens of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and eventually permanent citizens of the United States, filed suit in the United States District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands against the government of the Northern Marianas seeking "certificates of identity" as citizens of the commonwealth, which entitled them to the benefits of U.S. citizenship. The plaintiffs had a…

In 1979, the plaintiffs, 85 individuals who renounced their Filipino citizenship in 1977 in order to become citizens of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and eventually permanent citizens of the United States, filed suit in the United States District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands against the government of the Northern Marianas seeking "certificates of identity" as citizens of the commonwealth, which entitled them to the benefits of U.S. citizenship. The plaintiffs had all been found qualified to vote in the election of commonwealth officials before the government began operation.

The U.S. sought intervention in the case, which the District Court denied. The District Court also refused to stay the case while the government appealed. The Court of Appeals reversed, finding that the U.S. was entitled to intervene. Smith v. Pangilinan, 651 F.2d 1320 (9th Cir. 1981).

While the case was on appeal, the District Court found that plaintiffs were entitled to the certificates of identity. The government appealed. The Court of Appeals affirmed that decision, but remanded so that the District Court could consider the interests of the U.S., which had not been allowed to intervene. Pangilinan v. Castro, 688 F.2d 610 (9th Cir. 1982).

On remand, the United States sought discovery so that it could examine each plaintiff's qualifications for interim citizenship. The District Court prohibited the government from relitigating any factual or legal issues, Pangilinan v. Castro, 1985 WL 3792 (D.N.Mar.I. Nov. 04, 1985), and the U.S. appealed. The Court of Appeals affirmed. De Mesa v. Castro, 844 F.2d 642 (9th Cir.1988). Rehearing was denied. De Mesa v. Castro, 867 F.2d 1243 (9th Cir. 1989).

Summary Authors

Dan Dalton (1/2/2008)

People


Judge(s)

Boochever, Robert (California)

Duniway, Benjamin Cushing (California)

Laureta, Alfred (Northern Mariana Islands)

Attorney for Plaintiff
Attorney for Defendant

Ciolino, Joe (District of Columbia)

Erickson , Robert J. (District of Columbia)

Expert/Monitor/Master/Other
Judge(s)

Boochever, Robert (California)

Duniway, Benjamin Cushing (California)

Laureta, Alfred (Northern Mariana Islands)

Merrill, Charles Merton (Nevada)

Nelson, Dorothy Wright (California)

Schroeder, Mary Murphy (Arizona)

Tang, Thomas (Arizona)

Expert/Monitor/Master/Other

show all people

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

79-04437

[Appellate Opinion]

Smith v. Pangilinan

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

Oct. 1, 1981

Oct. 1, 1981

Order/Opinion

651 F.2d 651

80-04588

[Appellate Opinion]

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

Sept. 20, 1982

Sept. 20, 1982

Order/Opinion

688 F.2d 688

1:79-cv-00006

Decision Granting Partial Summary Judgment

Nov. 4, 1985

Nov. 4, 1985

Order/Opinion

1985 WL 1985

86-01713

[Appellate Opinion]

Mesa v. Castro

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

April 11, 1988

April 11, 1988

Order/Opinion

844 F.2d 844

86-01713

[Order]

Mesa v. Castro

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

Feb. 24, 1989

Feb. 24, 1989

Order/Opinion

867 F.2d 867

Docket

Last updated March 26, 2024, 3:06 a.m.

Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.

Case Details

State / Territory: Northern Mariana Islands

Case Type(s):

Immigration and/or the Border

Key Dates

Filing Date: Jan. 17, 1979

Closing Date: 1989

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

A class of 85 individuals who in 1977 renounced Filipino citizenship in order to become citizens of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and eventually permanent citizens of the United States.

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: Unknown

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: Yes

Class Action Outcome: Unknown

Defendants

U.S. Attorney General, Federal

Northern Marianas Commonwealth, State

Case Details

Available Documents:

Any published opinion

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff

Nature of Relief:

Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement

Source of Relief:

Litigation

Order Duration: 1982 - None

Issues

Immigration/Border:

U.S. citizenship - acquiring