Territorial Incorporation Doctrine

The Territorial Incorporation Doctrine is a legal principle used by the United States regarding how new territories become part of the nation. It determines whether the rights and protections of the U.S. Constitution apply to these territories. Under this doctrine, only the "incorporated" territories receive full constitutional rights, while "unincorporated" territories do not. This means that residents of unincorporated territories might not enjoy all the same rights as those in incorporated areas, which are treated as integral parts of the U.S. The distinction affects governance, rights, and representation for people living in these regions.