In Cucullu v. Hernandez, the United States Supreme Court was asked to decide whether a Mexican citizen who had been living in the United States for many years was entitled to the same rights as a naturalized citizen. The case arose when the plaintiff, a Mexican citizen, sued the defendant, a Mexican-born American citizen, for damages resulting from a breach of contract. The plaintiff argued that he was entitled to the same rights as a naturalized citizen, and that the defendant had violated his rights by refusing to honor the contract. The Supreme Court held that the plaintiff was not entitled to the same rights as a naturalized citizen, as he had not gone through the naturalization process. The Court noted that the plaintiff had been living in the United States for many years, but that he had not taken the necessary steps to become a naturalized citizen. The Court also noted that the defendant had not acted in bad faith, and that the plaintiff had failed to prove that the defendant had violated his rights. The Court ultimately held that the plaintiff was not entitled to the same rights as a naturalized citizen, and that the defendant had not violated his rights. The Court also noted that the plaintiff had failed to prove that the defendant had acted in bad faith. As a result, the Court dismissed the plaintiff's claim.

In Cucullu v. Hernandez, the United States Supreme Court was asked to determine whether a deed of conveyance from one party to another was valid and enforceable under Mexican law. The majority opinion held that it was not, as the deed had been executed without proper authorization or consideration. Justice Field dissented from this decision, arguing that there were sufficient facts in evidence to support a finding of validity and enforceability under Mexican law. He argued that the parties had acted with mutual assent and understanding when executing the deed; they both understood its terms and intended for it to be binding upon them both; thus, he concluded that it should be enforced according to its terms regardless of any technical deficiencies in execution or lack of consideration on either side.