In the 1909 case Todd v. Romeu, the United States Supreme Court ruled on a dispute involving property rights and inheritance laws. The plaintiff, Todd, was an American citizen who had inherited property in Cuba from his aunt. However, Cuban law stated that only citizens could inherit land within its borders. As such, Romeu claimed ownership of the estate as he was next in line to inherit under Cuban law due to his citizenship status. The U.S Supreme Court held that while it recognized foreign jurisdiction over local real estate matters (in this case Cuba), it also upheld international principles protecting citizens abroad - including their right to own and transfer property without discrimination based on nationality or citizenship. Therefore, despite Cuban domestic laws barring non-citizens from inheriting land within its territory; these were deemed discriminatory by US standards and thus not enforceable against American citizens inheriting estates in Cuba. This ruling affirmed protection for U.S nationals' overseas assets against potentially prejudiced foreign legislation; reinforcing principles of fairness and equality before the law regardless of one's nationality or domicile.

In the dissenting opinion for Todd v. Romeu, it was argued that the majority's decision to uphold a New York law prohibiting non-residents from voting in state elections violated the Privileges and Immunities Clause of the U.S. Constitution. The dissenting justices believed that this clause guaranteed all citizens, regardless of their residency status, equal access to fundamental rights such as voting. They contended that by denying non-residents the right to vote, New York had unjustly discriminated against them based on their place of residence - an action they deemed unconstitutional under federal law. Furthermore, they disagreed with the majority's assertion that states have broad powers over election laws; while acknowledging states' authority in this area, they insisted such power should not be used to infrac upon constitutionally protected rights.