Good.NeighborCommissionof Texas Austin,Texas
Attention: PaulineR. Kibbe
OpinionNo. O-7499 Re: Deeignationof granteein deed conveyingin trust to the u8e and benefit of the Mexicanpeople in Karnes Gentlemen: county.
We acknowledgereceiptof your opinionrequestdated November6, 1946, from which we etate in subetanceand quote in part, as follows:
The MexicanHonoraryCommirrsion of Karnes City desiresto purchasea small tract of land.for the purpoeeof erectinga platformand a hall to hold weekly meetingsand to stage cele- brationson the 5th of May.,the 16th of Septemberand at other times.
As you know, these Commissionsare semi-official agenciee of the MexicanConsularServicein that they are composedof Mexican citizensand organizedby the Mexican Consulsto look after the Interestaof the Mexicanpopulationunder the Consul's direction.
Inasmucha8 these groupehave no legal entity,at least, sufficientto own and disposeof real estate a8 such, the mem- bershipbeing of a migratorynature,the title to a given par- cel of land would be imperfectfor want of a definiteand clear- ly definedou?l.er,a point essentialwhen seekingto borrow money or to transferthe fee.
Similarproblemsin other communitiesin the State may, in the future,arise,and we would like your opinionon the inquiry: Whethertitle to the land in questionmay be placed in a grantee as follows: "Joel S. Quinones,MexicanConsul,at San Antonio, or his succe88orin office,for the use and benefitof the Mexi- can people of Karnes County,Texas."
Title 5, Aliena,V. A. C. S., containsthe pertinentstatutesgov- erning the ownershipof land by aliens and alien corporationsin Texas. .-
Good NeighborCommissionof Texas _ Page 2 (0-7499)
Article 166 providesthat no alien or alien corporati.on shall acquireeny ln- terest,right,or title eitb.er legal or equitablein or to any landr in the State of Texan, excepta8 hereinafterprovided.
Arbtcle 167 lists the exceptionsto t,hegenerallaw stated in Arti- cle 166 and provideain part aa followr:
"This title (title5) shall not apply to 0 a . the follow- ing claanesof all.ene,wto arep or who shall becomebona fide inhabitanteof this State, at;I.onga8 thgy &all continueto be bona fide inhabitanteof t.h!.s State:
"Section3. Al.f.ens wha are ~at~l;~,r%I. born,ci~ti.zens of na- tions wb.ichhave a common. land bol;ndary with the UTi.ited States.
". . ."
Article 1.76,V. A. C. S., reqnireathat al.1aliens and all alien corporationshereafterpurchasing,or ~,IJ any mazner arquiri.ng land located in Texas, shall,wi.thin65.xmonths after such purchase,or acquisition,file with the County Clerk of the County 1.nwhi.c'h su.9~.l.ar,.d !.alocated,a "Report of Alien Ownership"In accordancewith the terms therein aet out, and subject to the penaltyprovidedthereinfor failureof compliancetherewith.
Under the provi.ai.ons of the statuc,es,it is plain that the aliens in question,berm fi.deInhabitantsof Texas and cl.tizens of Mexico, a natj.ouwhich ha8 a commor~land boun,tiaPy xltb.the Unit4 States,may acquireand own any landa in the State of Texas, provf.dedthey file a Report of Allen Ownershipin accordancewi,thArtfcle 176.
We are of the t;t.e deoi.gaati.ort of the granteein the contemplatedconveyanceas "Joel S. Q~.n.on.es,Mex9.canCon.su.1 at San Antonio, or his 8ucce88orin office,for the use and benefitof the Mexicanpeople of Karnes County,Texas"gwould be legal and proper. The legal effectthereof would be to constitutethe Mexican Consultb.eholder 1.ntrust of the property conveyedfor the use and benefit of the Mexicanpeople of Karnes County,Texas, the owners of the property. In a deed, *s l.c. al.1other written instruments, the