In the case of Santiago v. Nogueras, 1908, the United States Supreme Court dealt with a dispute over property rights in Puerto Rico. The plaintiff, Santiago, claimed that he had acquired ownership of certain lands through inheritance and sought to evict the defendant, Nogueras from these lands. However, Nogueras argued that he held rightful possession due to his long-term occupancy and use of the land under Spanish law which was applicable at that time when Puerto Rico was still under Spanish rule before it became a territory of US in 1898 following Spanish-American War. The court ruled in favor of Nogueras stating that although American laws were now applicable on Puerto Rican soil after its annexation by US but they did not invalidate or supersede existing property rights established under previous legal systems i.e., Spanish law unless explicitly stated so by Congress. As such since there was no explicit legislation passed by Congress invalidating such claims based on prior occupation or usage as per old laws hence those claims remained valid even post annexation. Therefore this case set an important precedent affirming respect for pre-existing local laws & customs regarding property rights while integrating new territories into national jurisdiction.

The dissenting opinion in the case of Santiago v. Nogueras argued that the majority's decision was inconsistent with previous rulings and principles established by the Supreme Court regarding territorial jurisdiction. The dissent emphasized that Puerto Rico, as a territory acquired by the United States, should be subject to U.S federal law and its inhabitants entitled to constitutional protections. It contended that denying these rights based on an arbitrary distinction between incorporated and unincorporated territories was unjustified. Furthermore, it asserted that this ruling effectively created a second-class citizenship for residents of certain territories which contradicted fundamental American values of equality under law.