But what they intended it for wasn't an authority they possessed.
The ability to make a regular rule for naturalization is noway connected to the ability to create citizenship.
Until the 14th, the line between State citizens and citizens of the United States were well known.
§ 1218. The inhabitants enjoy all their civil, religious, and political rights. They live substantially under the same laws, as at the time of the cession, such changes only having been made, as have been devised, and sought by themselves. They are not indeed citizens of any state, entitled to the privileges of such; but they are citizens of the United States. They have no immediate representatives in congress.
Joseph Story, Commentaries on the Constitution
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The 14th attempted to blur the jurisdictional boundary between the states and the federal government.
And now the federal organ has become a parasite that is killing the very thing it was created to protect.
“But what they intended it for wasn’t an authority they possessed.”
Yes, it was.. they had the authority and used it accordingly.
After all, it was passed to allow those offspring of negro slaves to be citizens.
As to its applicability today, I would agree with you that it no longer applies and actually creates a major problem. The problem is that takes an amendment to the Constitution to change this - no minor thing...as I’m sure that you are aware.