Title 48, Territories and Insular PossessionsRelease 119-102
§1504 Conveyance of Lands in Territories by Aliens Before Escheat Proceedings
Title 48 › CHAPTER 11 — ALIEN OWNERS OF LAND › § 1504
Summary
A noncitizen who illegally owns land in a U.S. Territory may transfer the title before the government starts escheat proceedings. If the transfer is made to hide an attempt to dodge the rules, it is void and the land is forfeited to the United States.
Full Legal Text
Title 48, §1504
Territories and Insular Possessions, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Any alien who shall hold lands in any of the Territories of the United States in contravention of the provisions of this chapter may nevertheless convey his title thereto at any time before the institution of escheat proceedings as hereinafter provided. If any such conveyance shall be made by such alien, either to an alien or to a citizen of the United States, in trust and for the purpose and with the intention of evading the provisions of this chapter, such conveyance shall be null and void, and any such lands so conveyed shall be forfeited and escheat to the United States.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
Codification Section was formerly classified to section 74 of Title 8, Aliens and Nationality.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
48 U.S.C. § 1504
Title 48, Territories and Insular Possessions
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102