[AmishDude]

Unfortunately, it will take a constitutional amendment to do this. Read the 14th amendment. A literalist can't help but conclude that citizenship is conferred by birth on US soil. Maybe an originalist could argue that it's not what they meant, but it's tough to argue.

Of course, it will go nowhere for two reasons: One, they're also bringing up issues like a "wall" that has an intimidating tone to it and distract from the main issue. Two, with that blowhard Tancredo in charge, it'll be nothing but a platform for the stroking of his ego.

[RobbyS]

What was the case "Wo Van ark, or something like that? Back in 1895.

[rightinthemiddle]

Of course, if we keep illegals out, we won't have to amend the constitution.

I'm sure the Founding Fathers assumed we would secure our borders.

[itsahoot]

with that blowhard Tancredo in charge, it'll be nothing but a platform for the stroking of his ego.

No candidate for president, Republican, or Democrat will get elected, unless they adopt some of this "Nut Jobs" attitude about the illegal issue, and you can take that to the bank.

[GraniteStateConservative]

One, they're also bringing up issues like a "wall" that has an intimidating tone to it and distract from the main issue.

A moat, with hungry crocodiles, would be a cooler option.

[elbucko]

A literalist can't help but conclude that citizenship is conferred by birth on US soil.

The courts did not interpret the 14th. Amendment "literally" until 1898, regarding a Chinese man born in the US of legal immigrant parents. Furthermore, the explosion of illegal immigration has been caused by the Immigration Reform Act of 1965. JFK & LBJ opened the flood gates for immigrants and the "anchor baby policy".

[moehoward]

"A literalist can't help but conclude that citizenship is conferred by birth on US soil."

Couldn't disagree more.

"As it turns out "all persons" was merely "all American citizens," as evidenced by the man wrote the fourteenth's citizenship clause, Sen. Jacob Howard of Michigan:

This amendment which I have offered [citizenship clause to the fourteenth amendment] is simply declaratory of what I regard as the law of the land already, that every person born within the limits of the United States, and subject to their jurisdiction, is by virtue of natural law and national law a citizen of the United States. This will not, of course, include persons born in the United States who are foreigners, aliens, who belong to the families of ambassadors or foreign ministers accredited to the Government of the United States, but will include every other class of persons. It settles the great question of citizenship and removes all doubt as to what persons are or are not citizens of the United States. This has long been a great desideratum in the jurisprudence and legislation of this country.[10]

http://idexer.com/articles/newt_14th.htm