Chamorros from Guam are Category 2 U.S. citizens. They are statutory citizens because they received their citizenship by virtue of the Organic Act. They are not recognized by the Constitution as U.S. citizens. Chamorros hold aboriginal and inherent rights to this island, its land, and its resources.
Although they hold constitutional rights, Guamanians don’t hold any aboriginal or inherent rights. In contrast, Chamorros hold aboriginal and inherent rights and don’t hold any constitutional rights, only constitutional privileges.
The reason why the U.S. Constitution does not pertain to Guam is because of the political designation of the Chamorro people as the aboriginal titleholders to this land. If the Chamorro people do not enjoy constitutional rights, then no one else on this island can enjoy constitutional rights. Should the Chamorro people ever become naturalized and become full Constitutional Citizens then the Constitution would pertain to everyone on this island, including the Guamanians.
The path to constitutional rights for our island and her people lies in Title 25 of the U.S. Code, namely registration as a Native American Tribe.
This would incorporate tribal lands and naturalize tribal members, thereby extending the authority of the Constitution fully to our island without violating existing treaty obligations.
FRANK J. SCHACHER
Chairman, Chamorro Tribe
Barrigada, Guam
