# 48 U.S.C. § 733: Citizens; former Spanish subjects and children; body politic; name

> Federal · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t48_s733

## Section

- **Citation:** 48 U.S.C. § 733
- **Heading:** Citizens; former Spanish subjects and children; body politic; name
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** April 17, 2026
- **Source:** Publisher's official text
- **Location:** Title 48—TERRITORIES AND INSULAR POSSESSIONS > CHAPTER 4—PUERTO RICO > SUBCHAPTER I—GENERAL PROVISIONS

## Text

All inhabitants continuing to reside in Puerto Rico who were Spanish subjects on the 11th day of April 1899, and then resided in Puerto Rico, and their children born subsequent thereto, shall be deemed and held to be citizens of Puerto Rico, and as such entitled to the protection of the United States, except such as shall have elected to preserve their allegiance to the Crown of Spain on or before the 11th day of April 1900, in accordance with the provisions of the treaty of peace between the United States and Spain entered into on the 11th day of April 1899; and they, together with such citizens of the United States as may reside in Puerto Rico, shall constitute a body politic under the name of the People of Puerto Rico, with governmental powers as hereinafter conferred, and with power to sue and be sued as such.

( Apr. 12, 1900, ch. 191, § 7 , 31 Stat. 79 ; May 17, 1932, ch. 190 , 47 Stat. 158 .)

## Nearby sections

- [48 U.S.C. § 731 Territory included under name Puerto Rico](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t48_s731.md)
- [48 U.S.C. § 731a Change of name; Puerto Rico](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t48_s731a.md)
- [48 U.S.C. § 731b Organization of a government pursuant to a constitution](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t48_s731b.md)
- [48 U.S.C. § 731c Submission of sections 731b to 731e of this title to people of Puerto Rico for referendum; convening of constitutional convention; requisites of constitution](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t48_s731c.md)
- [48 U.S.C. § 731d Ratification of constitution by Congress](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t48_s731d.md)
- [48 U.S.C. § 731e Chapter continued in force and effect](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t48_s731e.md)
- [48 U.S.C. § 732 Repealed. July 3, 1950, ch. 446, § 5(2) , 64 Stat. 320](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t48_s732.md)
- [48 U.S.C. § 733 Citizens; former Spanish subjects and children; body politic; name](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t48_s733.md)
- [48 U.S.C. § 733a Citizens; residence in island of citizens of United States](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t48_s733a.md)
- [48 U.S.C. § 733a–1 Repealed. June 27, 1952, ch. 477 , title IV, § 403(a)(14), 66 Stat. 279](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t48_s733a%E2%80%931.md)
- [48 U.S.C. § 733b Omitted](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t48_s733b.md)
- [48 U.S.C. § 734 United States laws extended to Puerto Rico; internal revenue receipts covered into treasury](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t48_s734.md)
- [48 U.S.C. § 734a Extension of industrial alcohol and internal revenue laws to Puerto Rico](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t48_s734a.md)
- [48 U.S.C. § 735 Repealed. July 3, 1950, ch. 446, § 5(2) , 64 Stat. 320](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t48_s735.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t48_s733. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.