New Barrier for Immigrants: Texas Birth Certificate

New York Times ^ | 9/17/2015 | MANNY FERNANDEZ

[HomerBohn]

McALLEN, Tex. — At the Republican debate Wednesday and throughout the campaign, candidates led by Donald J. Trump have assailed illegal immigration, and some have questioned whether children who are born to immigrants in this country illegally should be considered American citizens.

But here on the Texas border some communities are engaged in activities that go beyond talk, enforcing some of the toughest rules in the country limiting the types of ID parents can show to receive copies of birth certificates. The result has been a refusal to issue birth certificates to many of the Texas-born children of immigrants here illegally.

The state says it is a matter of adequate verification. Organizations that advocate on immigrants’ behalf see anti-immigrant sentiments turned into anti-immigrant policies — with the goal of making it harder for illegal immigrants to live and raise families in Texas. The requirements have spurred a lawsuit against the state and opposition from Hispanic lawmakers, immigrant rights activists and even officials from Mexico.

[Conscience of a Conservative]

Oh, as a policy matter, I agree. The tighter the restrictions the better, and I think stemming the tide of illegals is worth a little inconvenience.

My response was wholly personal (and, frankly, selfish).

[Gaffer]

Understand and commiserate. No problem.

[RideForever]

Didn’t bother to read the article. Likely the argument presented by the state was not presented. It is simple logic, actually. If the parents / guardians do not have U.S. id, but have id from some other country of origin, then clearly they are subject to the jurisdiction of that country of origin, and thereby excluded from birthright by the plain words of the Constitution.