Filed Date: Jan. 17, 1979
Closed Date: 1989
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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)
Boochever, Robert (California)
Duniway, Benjamin Cushing (California)
Laureta, Alfred (Northern Mariana Islands)
Ciolino, Joe (District of Columbia)
Erickson , Robert J. (District of Columbia)
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)
Last updated March 26, 2024, 3:06 a.m.
Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.State / Territory: Northern Mariana Islands
Case Type(s):
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):
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:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Plaintiff
Nature of Relief:
Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement
Source of Relief:
Order Duration: 1982 - None
Issues
Immigration/Border: