Posted on 02/15/2010 9:38:26 AM PST by NormsRevenge
Republican lawmakers in Congress are sponsoring a bill that seeks to abolish birthright citizenship for children born in the United States to illegal immigrant parents.
Federal law automatically grants citizenship to any person born on American soil, regardless of the immigration status of the child's parents.
Supporters of the bill say that many people come to this country for the express purpose of having children who are American citizens, making the family eligible for welfare and other government benefits.
"You have many people coming to this country illegally," said Rep. Gary Miller, R-Brea, a co-sponsor of the legislation. "They come to this country and have babies. The children are citizens. The children are eligible to go to school. They receive food stamps and social programs. The American taxpayers are paying for it."
The bill does not seek to change the Constitution, which grants birthright citizenship under the 14th Amendment ratified in 1868.
Instead, it would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to clarify the interpretation of the 14th Amendment.
The measure would limit birthright citizenship to children born to at least one parent who is either a citizen, lawful permanent resident or actively serving in the U.S. military. The legislation would only apply prospectively and would not affect the citizenship status of people born before the bill's enactment.
If the bill passes, people on both sides of the issue say it is likely to be challenged on constitutional grounds.
"This bill is unconstitutional," said Rep. Joe Baca, D-San Bernardino. "It would change one of the most basic principles that our nation was founded on: If you were born in the United States, you're an American."
Baca accused the bill's sponsors of playing election-year politics.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailybulletin.com ...
You still don’t have to allow minors born of illegals before the law goes into effect to stay. Send the parents back and send the minors back with them. You would not want to separate minor children from parents and there is nothing illegal about that. When the child reaches 18 they can apply, with proper and verifiable documentation, for reentry as an adult citizen, without bringing their parents or other family.
The 14th Amendment gives Congress the right to make interpretations as to who would be subject to the jurisdiction of the US. They’ve done it several times in the past. Baca just sees lots of ethnic democrat voters and so until the GOP retakes Congress this legislation hasn’t a prayer.
Yours would be a reasonable argument and should be legally binding so long as minor children of illegal aliens are allowed the same rights to apply for birthright citizenship as children born of foreign parents who were legally present in the United States at the time.
I agree! Only children born to citizes or legal residents holding greencards should be eligable for birthright citizenship. All else no.
Legal foreign parents and their children born here should fall under the same criteria. Legal foreign residents should be treated no differently.
For those who doubt this, look to California as an example.
Go JD!
Let the mudslinging begin!
oh wait, it already has.. lol
Some people just don’t get it!
Even if they do it probably won't go anywhere.
Unless and until the RINO purge happens.
I hope you’re right, friend.
I claim no expertise, but I’m not sure how a foreign visitor can be subject to our laws (stealing, speeding, etc.), but not be under our jusisdiction.
Are you saying that a German citizen who commits a crime by coming to the US illegally is not subject to US jusisdiction under the law?
If that’s the correct bill number, it’s been sitting in a House subcommittee for almost 9 months. If so, and this is nothing new, I wonder why the Daily Bulletin is only now writing about it? Interesting.
The problem will be the Senate where gasbags like Durbin will try to attach Dream Acts and amnesty to basically gum up the works. Maybe with Kennedy and Specter gone we can finally get something done but it's usually about party and votes to them.
bump
They can be subject to criminal penalties but they can’t be drafted or serve on juries because they’re not citizens and therefore have no allegiance to the US. At least that’s the interpretation of the jurisdiction clause that many experts believe was meant when it was written in the 1860s.
Now that’s what I’m talkin’ ‘bout!
Oh. No I thought it said anyone born here regardless. I should of known. Anything the Left is for is probably unconstitutional.
Thus rendering any future admissions, illegal or otherwise to the US as "why bother"?
America will not be the guiding light for anyone and they can blame themselves for helping make it that way.
So what else is new?
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