Alabama Constitution Section 90 - Acquisition of foreign territory; rights and privileges of inhabitants of acquired territory.
Alabama Constitution – Section 90
Title: Acquisition of foreign territory; rights and privileges of inhabitants of acquired territory
Text of the Section:
"The legislature shall have no power to authorize any county, city, town, or other subdivision of this state to acquire or hold real estate in any foreign territory, except for cemeteries; nor shall the legislature have power to grant the rights and privileges of citizenship or the rights and privileges of suffrage to inhabitants of any foreign territory who may be acquired by annexation or otherwise."
🔎 Explanation:
Section 90 sets limitations on the powers of the Alabama Legislature in two key areas regarding foreign territory:
Prohibition on Acquiring Foreign Land (with an Exception):
Counties, cities, or towns in Alabama cannot acquire or hold land in foreign territories, unless it's for cemeteries.
This prevents Alabama’s political subdivisions from buying or controlling land outside the U.S., except to bury their dead.
No Grant of Rights to Foreign Inhabitants by State Legislature:
The state legislature cannot grant citizenship or voting rights to people living in foreign territories that might be acquired (e.g., through annexation).
This is to ensure that only federal laws (like those concerning immigration and naturalization) determine such rights.
✅ Purpose:
This section was likely included to:
Protect the sovereignty and jurisdiction of the state.
Ensure federal control over issues involving foreign territories and naturalization.
Limit local governments from expanding outside the state or country for political or ownership reasons.
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