[Publius6961]

As well they should, because the 14th Amendment says that if you're born here, you're a citizen.

I agree with you (today).

There is no question in my mind, however, that if you and I had presented that argument in 1789, we would be laughed out of town.

[Modernman]

There is no question in my mind, however, that if you and I had presented that argument in 1789, we would be laughed out of town.

In the 18th century, there was no such thing as an "illegal." If you showed up in the US, you got to stay. There was also no central registry of citizens, so you were basically a citizen when you got here.