Rep. Deal seeks to end birthright citizenship for illegals
by Herman Wang, The Chattanooga Times Free Press: For decades, immigration officials have granted U.S. citizenship to all children born on American soil. But Rep. Nathan Deal, R-Ga., wants to see that practice end for children of illegal immigrants. "Birthright citizenship is one of those things that has become a magnet for illegal immigrants to come over here," said Rep. Deal, who has filed a bill that would restrict birthright citizenship to children who have at least one parent with legal resident status or U.S. citizenship.
At the crux of the issue is a clause in the 14th Amendment, passed in 1868 after the Civil War with freed slaves in mind, that granted citizenship to "all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof." That last clause -- "subject to the jurisdiction thereof" -- has many conservatives and border-control activists arguing that the amendment was never intended to apply to illegal immigrants. . . .
Rep. Deal, whose Northwest Georgia district is heavily Hispanic, said the United States is an anomaly in a world where 122 countries do not grant birthright citizenship, including all of Europe, while 33 do, with the United States being the largest. He has introduced similar bills three previous years, and though he acknowledges that his bill likely will not be brought up for consideration, especially with Democrats controlling the House, he said his cause is gaining momentum, with 89 co-sponsors to the bill, all Republican, the most ever. "I think the climate is changing," Rep. Deal said. "Illegal immigration has become more of a national concern than it has been in the past."
Rep. Zach Wamp, R-Tenn., one of the co-sponsors, said the legislation would be a sorely needed deterrent to illegal immigration, particularly with comprehensive immigration reform stonewalled in Congress. Children of illegal immigrants, so-called "anchor babies," can sponsor their parents for legal permanent residency once they reach adulthood. "Clearly we need to send word all throughout Central and South America that if you have a baby in this country and you're not a U.S. citizen, (it) doesn't mean they're going to be a citizen," Rep. Wamp said. "This is not designed to be mean, it's just designed to basically curtail illegal immigration." . . . [Read More] See also: Birthright Citizenship Act of 2007
Tags: 14th Amendment, anchor babies, Birthright Citizenship Act, citizenship, illegal aliens, illegal immigrants, Nathan Deal To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!
At the crux of the issue is a clause in the 14th Amendment, passed in 1868 after the Civil War with freed slaves in mind, that granted citizenship to "all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof." That last clause -- "subject to the jurisdiction thereof" -- has many conservatives and border-control activists arguing that the amendment was never intended to apply to illegal immigrants. . . .
Rep. Deal, whose Northwest Georgia district is heavily Hispanic, said the United States is an anomaly in a world where 122 countries do not grant birthright citizenship, including all of Europe, while 33 do, with the United States being the largest. He has introduced similar bills three previous years, and though he acknowledges that his bill likely will not be brought up for consideration, especially with Democrats controlling the House, he said his cause is gaining momentum, with 89 co-sponsors to the bill, all Republican, the most ever. "I think the climate is changing," Rep. Deal said. "Illegal immigration has become more of a national concern than it has been in the past."
Rep. Zach Wamp, R-Tenn., one of the co-sponsors, said the legislation would be a sorely needed deterrent to illegal immigration, particularly with comprehensive immigration reform stonewalled in Congress. Children of illegal immigrants, so-called "anchor babies," can sponsor their parents for legal permanent residency once they reach adulthood. "Clearly we need to send word all throughout Central and South America that if you have a baby in this country and you're not a U.S. citizen, (it) doesn't mean they're going to be a citizen," Rep. Wamp said. "This is not designed to be mean, it's just designed to basically curtail illegal immigration." . . . [Read More] See also: Birthright Citizenship Act of 2007
Tags: 14th Amendment, anchor babies, Birthright Citizenship Act, citizenship, illegal aliens, illegal immigrants, Nathan Deal To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!
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