[Harpotoo]

So if you are born here by illegal parents you are not subject to the courts and laws that apply here? I’m just trying to understand what that means.

[Sacajaweau]

You get deported.....

[Petrosius]

So if you are born here by illegal parents you are not subject to the courts and laws that apply here? I’m just trying to understand what that means.

"Subject to the jurisdiction thereof" means to owe allegiance as a member of the society, not just subject to its laws while within its territory. This is what Senator Howard, who wrote the amendment, pointed out in the floor debate. Illegal immigrants legally are merely transient aliens owing no allegiance to the United States. Otherwise the words are superfluous and have no meaning at all.

[Vendome]

It means your parents are transient aliens, not subject to the jurisdiction of the United States and cannot by Jus sanguinis.

Wish it weren’t so because I don’t believe the children have any choice in the matter, particularly when their parents make a conscious decision as to where their children will be born, out of certain expediencies.

[rxsid]

A foreigner in our country is subject to our laws. However, they are not subject to jury duty or being drafted into our armed forces (for example). In other words, they are not subject to our jurisdiction. There is a difference.

If you go to France (and aren't a French citizen), you are subject to their laws, but you are not subject to their jurisdiction. You can't be pressed into their armed services if there was a draft and you can't (legally) vote in their elections.

To be a U.S. "citizen", you must be born here AND subject to our jurisdiction (not just our laws as anyone visiting would be).