What does the privileges and immunities guarantee mean?

The Privileges and Immunities Clause of the United States Constitution, found in Article IV, Section 2, Clause 1, guarantees that citizens of each state shall be entitled to all privileges and immunities of citizens in the several states. This means that citizens of one state must be treated equally to citizens of another state when they are within the borders of another state.

For example, a citizen of California who is traveling in New York must be allowed to vote in New York elections, hold public office in New York, and practice law in New York, just like a citizen of New York. Similarly, a citizen of New York who is traveling in California must be allowed to attend public schools in California, purchase property in California, and receive state-funded benefits in California, just like a citizen of California.

The Privileges and Immunities Clause is an important part of the Constitution because it helps to ensure that all citizens are treated equally, regardless of which state they live in. It also encourages citizens to travel and do business in other states without fear of being discriminated against.