In re Estate of Imamura

I respectfully dissent.

¶16 Contrary to the majority opinion, I believe Article XII of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands was never drafted with the intent of disinheriting Chamorro children. Put more simply, Article XII was never meant to deny Chamorro grandchildren a right to inherit their grandmother’s land simply because they are not currently a citizen or national of the United States. The majority’s holding has the effect of denying the appellants basic, fundamental due process and equal protection ofthe laws in violation ofthe U.S. Constitution.

¶17 The…