[DiogenesLamp]

It was a blanket statement that the former slaves, having been “born”, were American citizens.

But they weren't citizens when they were born, were they?

So what do you call it when congress passes a law to make a bunch of non-citizens into "citizens"?

Congress only has the power of naturalization. It doesn't have the power of God. Congress can only adopt. It can't birth.

[Dilbert San Diego]

Congress cannot birth. interesting to think about