There's no need or justification to make the words into something else. It means exactly what it says, "subject to the jurisdiction". People that are subject to the law, and not people who are not.
Illegal aliens are not “subject to the jurisdiction thereof” because they owe allegiance elsewhere, just as Indians were not covered by the jurisdiction clause until Congress passed a statute making them part of it.
Illegal aliens are not “subject to the jurisdiction thereof” because they owe allegiance elsewhere, just as Indians were not covered by the jurisdiction clause until Congress passed a statute making them part of it.
Then there is no need for it. If the framers of the amendment had intended to make everyone born here a citizen, they would have done so, and the jurisdiction clause would not be there.