Thomas Breaks Tradition: Forces Supreme Court to Look at Obama Citizenship Case

THE AFRO-AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS ^ | 12/3/08 | James Wright, AFRO Staff Reporter

[kabar]

True enough, but there are millions of American citizens who obtained their citizenship thru birthright citizenship and hold American passports. IMO, the only way we can change our current laws and practice on birthright citizenship is thru a Consitutional amendment.

Anchor babies: the Irish got it right

[zeugma]

This case is coming before the court so they won't have to hear a case questioning the "fact" that Obama was actually born on U.S. soil. This is ass-covering time for the court. With it, they can dismiss, and the media can say that "the supreme Court has rejected all arguments against Obama's citizenship". Obama is going to be president, whether he's Constitutionally qualified for the office, or not.

[Drew68]

For the gazillionth time... The Constitution requires that the President be a Natural born citizen, not just a citizen.

If you think that in 2008 the USSC is going to recognize that there are "first class" (natural born) and "second class" Americans citizens, all born on American soil, you're crazy.

[Citizen Blade]

The children of illegal aliens are most certainly NOT "subject to the jurisdiction thereof"

So, we couldn't charge them with a crime or make them pay taxes? Are you claiming that the children of illegals effectively have diplomatic immunity?

[elpadre]

“... we don’t demand that in order to be a citizen you must renounce all other national ties.”

at one point in time, during my more productive years, foreign nationals becoming naturalized US citizens, were required to denounce their previous citizenship.

[BP2]

>>> NO case heard in the Supreme Court has EVER held that birthright citizenship is granted under the 14th Amendment to the children of people in the United States illegally. Or legally, for that matter, if not admitted as immigrants

Yes, and by the same token, the SCOTUS has never "ruled" on the term "Natural Born Citizen" in context to the COTUS and it's requirements of the President.

If it's "not a problem," why is it that Andrew Jackson was the last President who had a parent born out of the US, back in 1837? More than 150 years ago?

Just a coincidence? Yeah, right...

[sneakers]

Haha!!! Love your comment re: post #21!

[seekthetruth]

“All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.”

“If you’re born in the United States, you are a citizen of the US. Period.”

Yes, one born on US soil is a US citizen. But unless one’s parents were citizens, he/she is not a “natural born” citizen.

[kabar]

Chester Alan Arthur was the son of Irish born preacher William Arthur and Vermont born Malvina Stone Arthur. He was President from 1881-85.

[MrB]

One thing is for sure -

Thomas’ wife is NOT going to be welcome in the black social circles in DC...

[Citizen Blade]

These are people, who through the circumstance of their birth, are US citizens, but not Natural Born Citizens, such as American children born of parents in foreign countries, and not on the soil of a US embassy, or military base.

American bases and embassies are not US territory. That is simply an urban myth. If they were American territory, the host countries could not kick us out of them without leading to a war. Being born on a military base or embassy does not, in of itself, grant citizenship.

But, the children of American citizens born overseas, whether on a military base or not, are American citizens from birth and qualify to serve as President under the COTUS.

You, and Donofrio, are creating artificial distinctions that do no exist in either the COTUS or Federal law. There are only two classes of American citizen: naturalized (who cannot serve as President) and citizens from birth (who can).

[kabar]

Is Bobby Jindal eligble to run for President? His parents were not US citizens when he was born in the US?

Piyush Jindal (pronounced /ˈdʒɪndəl/) was born on June 10, 1971 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to Punjabi Indian immigrants Amar and Raj Jindal, who had recently arrived for Raj to attend graduate school at Louisiana State University. His mother Amar left India and his ancestral family village of Khanpura in 1970.

[seekthetruth]

One born on US soil is a US citizen.

One born on US soil of US citizen parents is a “natural born” citizen.

[seekthetruth]

I heard Leo Donofrio state that his case was referred to Conference by the whole court, not just Justice Thomas. Leo said that that was a good sign.

[Citizen Blade]

That statement is false. Around the world, parent can and do, quite frequently, emigrate to other countries. Many of them then apply for the citizenship of those other countries. Many of those countries require the renunciation of one's previous citizenship before they confer the new citizenship.

Which is completely irrelevant under US law. A parent cannot renounce their minor child's US citizenship under US law.

The U.S. requires immigrants applying for naturalization to renounce their previous citizenship.

No, it doesn't. I became a naturalized US citizen in 2007. I still remain a citizen of 2 other countries, which is perfectly legal under US law.

[kabar]

I agree with everything you said except the part about US embassies. For all extents and purposes, they are treated as US soil except from local laws and regulations per international conventions and treaties. Embassies have been used as places of sanctuary from host governments in many, many cases.

[Non-Sequitur]

That is not the question. U.S. law, and Supreme Court decisions, both state that a person born in the U.S. is a citizen at birth. What is the difference between ‘citizen at birth’ and ‘natural born citizen’ and where is this difference defined by law?

[kabar]

What about persons born abroad to Amcit parents? Natural born or not?

[classified]

And only natural born citizens, or persons who are citizens of the U.S. while the Constitution was being adopted, are eligible to become President, Correct?

[Drew68]

BOTH PARENTS MUST BE U.S. CITIZENS AND THE CHILD MUST BE BORN ON U.S. SOIL.

You just made this up.

Andrew Jackson was the son of two parents who were not born on U.S. soil. Five other presidents (Thomas Jefferson, James Buchanan, Chester Arthur, Woodrow Wilson, Herbert Hoover) each had one parent not born on U.S. soil. Obama would be the sixth president to have one parent not born on U.S. soil.

This "natural born = both parents born on U.S. soil" argument is completely bogus and fabricated and exists nowhere in the U.S. Constitution.