Our rights are inalienable, God-given, and a component of our humanity. People possess the exact same rights whether they were born in America or Saudi Arabia. Whether the country oppresses these rights, or allows the free exercise of them, matters not - the individual, every individual in fact - still has them.
The Constitution does not grant us rights; it merely enumerates the ones we already possess by virtue of our humanity. A person cannot "receive" rights from the government or have them "taken away." The government can only prevent their exercise under certain circumstances.
This is very different from the "entitlement" programs, social "perks" and "programs," and other benefits associated with being an American citizen. However, these are NOT rights and ARE subject to withholding for non-citizens.
I wish, sometimes, that folks would be clearer on this. It would make these debates a lot easier.
Just my two cents.
The Constitution does not grant us rights; it merely enumerates the ones we already possess by virtue of our humanity. A person cannot "receive" rights from the government or have them "taken away." The government can only prevent their exercise under certain circumstances.
Well said, worth repeating.