Trump v. Barbara · ¶70

For a Congress intent on putting the question of citizenship “once and forever [to] rest,” Cong. Globe, 42d Cong., 1st Sess. 575 (1871) (Sen. Trumbull), a domicile-based qualification would have introduced significant uncertainty. Unlike the easy-to-apply common law, it would be “difficult, if not impossible, to lay down any general rule” of domicile- based citizenship, as domicile “often depend[s] upon the circumstances of each case, the combinations of which are infinite.” Inhabitants of Abington v. Inhabitants of North Bridgewater, 40 Mass. 170, 177 (1839).

slip opinion, revised 7/01/26
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