Technical question : can any Country today request joining the Union ?

[UndertheOcean]

is that even legally and constitutionally possible , or is the Union counter stuck at 50 , what is so special about 50 if so ?

I know Hawaii was the last ... wonder when will the next one come.

[ProdigalJunkMail]

1. it's like the Mafia...

you CAN get in...but there is only one way out (hint : secession isn't it!)

sP

[NoNothing]

2. The answer is in the Constitution

It's worth reading sometime. It's not very long.

Article IV

Section 3 - New States

New States may be admitted by the Congress into this Union; but no new States shall be formed or erected within the Jurisdiction of any other State; nor any State be formed by the Junction of two or more States, or parts of States, without the Consent of the Legislatures of the States concerned as well as of the Congress.

The Congress shall have Power to dispose of and make all needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory or other Property belonging to the United States; and nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed as to Prejudice any Claims of the United States, or of any particular State.

In other words, states can be added by act of Congress.

EDIT: So, to answer your question, any country can ask Congress to be annexed by the United States, and Congress can decide yes or no.

[MindandSoul]

5. Interesting question, and thanks for the answer

So . . could we look at Mexico "balance sheet" of plus and minus?

Mexico has oil (positive), and drugs/drug lords (negative)
Mexico has lots of cheap labor (positive) who insist in coming here illegaly and may or may not pay tax (negative)
How about considering bringing Mexico in the union? It would certainly resolve the immigration problem, and at least part of our "oil from foreign hostile nation" problem.

Wouldn't resolve our drug problem. . .or that of Mexico. . .but it may actually make it more manageable (do I dare say. . .maybe less corrupt politicians? I know. . .that's a long shot!)

Anyway, why not at least CONSIDER that idea? It's not as if we had lots of wonderful options right now!!!

[NoNothing]

7. Is Mexico asking to join the union?

I don't really think it's very polite to consider annexing countries that don't wish to join.

On balance, I don't think annexing Mexico would be a good idea anyways. The chance of enforcing our glut of federal laws and regulations would be virtually zero.

[MindandSoul]

8. No, as far as I know Mexico hasn't asked, and may not!

But, in all the "brain storming" that is needed to resolve the illegal immigration from Mexico, this may be something to be considered!

Not polite??? OKKKKAYYYYY! If you say so

Not a good idea. . .I don't know. . .I know it wouldn't be simple or quick. . .I know it would meet with opposition (mostly from Reps and from the Mexico corrupt leaders and drug lords), but nothing worth it is easy. . .

Anyway. . .I wasn't advocating for this. . .just bringing an idea to "the table."
Shoot me!

[NoNothing]

10. IF we were to annex Mexico

You wouldn't want to jump to full statehood right away. You'd want to start with territorial status first, like what Puerto Rico has now. Then, once you are reasonably confident they could govern themselves as a U.S. State, you would grant statehood.

[MindandSoul]

11. Yes, as I said, it would be a slow process! Wouldn't happen in a year, or even four!

But. . .why not at least giving it a 2 minutes consideration???

[NoNothing]

12. Don't you think we get enough shit

About being imperialistic already?

[MindandSoul]

15. I'm not talking about colinisation. . .I'm talking about a new State.

[foxfeet]

6. As an aside, when West Virginia seceded from Virginia during the Civil War

WV's request for statehood was approved without the consent of VA's legislature. After all, VA had already seceded from the Union and the creation of a new state was deemed proper as a war measure.

[mitchtv]

3. Puerto Rico is a possibility

although they have previously voted to maintain Commonwealth status. DC would like it , however the GOP doesn't.(two more D senators)

[MindandSoul]

9. Not much reason why Porto Rico would be interested. . .

They already get citizenship anyway. . .what do they care? And they like their "special status!"

[Motown_Johnny]

14. representation?

[Cleobulus]

4. Yes they could, if they wanted to, Congress has to OK the request though...

Little known fact, there was a party in Sicily that wanted it to join the United States after WWII.

[pampango]

13. There was one in the Philippines after WWII as well. There's still a significant minority there

who wish it had gone from US colony to state (or several states given its population) especially in light of the economic problems they have had since independence. (Of course, they seem not to realize that it's not just a majority of their own people they would have to convince, but Americans as well. A country with 90 million poor brown people (more populous - and poorer - than Mexico) would be a huge pill for many Americans to swallow.