Citizenship Uncertain For Baby Born On Plane

WFRV.COM ^ | 08 DECEMBER 2006 | AP

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

Baby Girl Was Born On Flight From Mexico To Chicago

(CBS) CHICAGO -- Immigration officials say it remains to be seen whether a baby girl born aboard a plane just before it landed in Chicago will be a U.S. or Mexican citizen.

Maria Elena Garcia-Upson is a spokeswoman for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. She says a child born in airspace over U.S. territory is eligible for citizenship.

But the parents have to file an application, and then officials have to investigate whether the child was born in Mexican airspace or international waters, Garcia-Upson said.

A 42-year-old woman gave birth to the 7-pound, 8-ounce girl late Wednesday night on a Mexicana Airlines flight from Guadalajara, Mexico.

An obstetrician traveling on the plane helped with the birth about an hour before the plane touched down.

[1rudeboy]

Here's another hypothetical: Fed up with the corruption of the Daley Administration in Chicago, I decide to defect to Jamaica. Finding no Jamaican embassy in the city, I travel to O'Hare, board an Air Jamaica flight, and request political asylum while it is still at the gate. Legally valid, or not?

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

I don't suppose there is an enormous market for the route from Mexico City to Toronto, but in principle there could be such a route. Would a child delivered by C-Section over Kansas on a flight from Mexico to Canada be American?

[Not A Snowbird]

Since the US has no fortitude, the mother and child will stay and soon be collecting thousands of dollars of your property tax money.

Doubtful. She's traveling with her husband and two (oops, make that three) children on a valid visa, probably for tourism purposes.

Stay tuned, let's see if there's a follow up story.

[ccmay]

If this woman murders someone (Let's make him a U.S. citizen) while the aircraft is on final approach to Dallas, and is taken into custody at the gate, did she commit murder in the U.S. or Mexico? Does the Dallas D.A. simply say, "Can't do anything about it. Let's get coffee?"

This is a red herring. It's a Federal crime to murder someone on a flight bound for or leaving the US, on a US-flagged aircraft, or for that matter to murder a US citizen anywhere in the world. It would not be handled by the local yokels, and it would most definitely be prosecuted by the Feds no matter how loudly the Mexicans squealed about their sovereignty.

-ccm

[1rudeboy]

That's the problem with hypotheticals, I suppose. But in any case, the defense would be laughed out of court if it tried to argue that the U.S., Federal or State, does not have jurisdiction because the airliner is "sovereign Mexican territory." Which is the point I'm trying to make.

[He Rides A White Horse]

What the hell are you talking about? This is some random spokesperson for the ICE, about whom you know absolutely nothing other than she has a US Citizen with a Hispanic name.

You know precisely what the point is; and as I've stated, there are many archived articles with references to INS agents not doing their jobs. Many are Hispanic, who act as if their sole mission in life is to obtain citizenship for illegals.

Yet you are objecting to her for some reason.

Let political correctness be the death of you if you wish. Some of us don't feel like going along for the ride.

[He Rides A White Horse]

Maria Elena Garcia-Upson is a spokeswoman for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. She says a child born in airspace over U.S. territory is eligible for citizenship.

Seems like Maria Elena Garcia-Upson seems to think that her 'branch of government' has the power of interpreting the law.

Sorry, but I smell the reek of agenda

[He Rides A White Horse]

Maria Elena Garcia-Upson is a spokeswoman for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. She says a child born in airspace over U.S. territory is eligible for citizenship.

Seems like Maria Elena Garcia-Upson seems to think that her 'branch of government' has the power of interpreting the law.

Sorry, but I smell the reek of agenda

[Alter Kaker]

You know precisely what the point is; and as I've stated, there are many archived articles with references to INS agents not doing their jobs. Many are Hispanic, who act as if their sole mission in life is to obtain citizenship for illegals.

So the Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services should be Whites Only? Is that what you're saying? Don't beat around the bush.

[Alter Kaker]

Seems like Maria Elena Garcia-Upson seems to think that her 'branch of government' has the power of interpreting the law

Maria Elena Garcia-Upson's job is to adequately represent the position of her employer, the Bureau of Immigration and Citizenship Services to the media. In this case, her employer is accurately citing law and legal precedent that controls in this situation, your evident racial agenda to the contrary notwithstanding.

[He Rides A White Horse]

her employer is accurately citing law and legal precedent that controls in this situation

Seems like there is confusion over the situation......

your evident racial agenda to the contrary notwithstanding.

I thought Johnnie Cochran died. Try again, race cards are by no means trump cards at this forum.

[He Rides A White Horse]

This is not DU or Salon, where playing a race card is an automatic win.

[Eva]

...and kids born to US diplomats on foreign soil do not receive automatic citizenship. Their parents have to apply for it.