Automatic citizenship for all births in the US

[Craig234]

I think that automatic citzenship for all people born in the US is now a mistake and should be repealed.

Regardless of my views on many related issues - the desire for the US to help prosperity in Mexico, for improved conditions for Mexican labors, for bilingual resources, etc. - I do not see any justification for someone who is in the country illegally and gives birth to have the child automatically receive US citizenship under the law. This was passed in a very different time.

 

[Jaskalas]

I support stopping it, but the overall problem is that we appear to have no solutions for what to do with people once they are in the country. What can be done with tens of millions of illegals?

We?ll have a sub class of 30 million, 50 million once they all have children, 100 million by the time of their grand children, so either we accept them all as citizens or we face some harsh realizations about what to do with all of them.

I myself pause at the idea of dealing with a sub class in this country that is going to be 25% of our population.

 

[jackschmittusa]

The time has long past when it first became prudent to modify the birth citizenship rules.

 

[miketheidiot]

I fully support giving citizenship to those born within our borders.

 

[Puffnstuff]

I am totally opposed to giving citizenship to the children of people who've broken our laws to enter this country. This is why so many cross the border to bear their children and it is wrong. If they want to enter this country let them do so in compliance with established law.

 

[compuwiz1]

So, you want to rewrite the constitution of the United States? Good luck! There are only certain people in the past century, who have been able to do that. GWB is doing it everyday.
Idiot detector=on
Standby for other idiot detectors=on

 

[GroundedSailor]

Originally posted by: Craig234
I think that automatic citzenship for all people born in the US is now a mistake and should be repealed.

Regardless of my views on many related issues - the desire for the US to help prosperity in Mexico, for improved conditions for Mexican labors, for bilingual resources, etc. - I do not see any justification for someone who is in the country illegally and gives birth to have the child automatically receive US citizenship under the law. This was passed in a very different time.

This may be a good argument for babies born to illegal immigrants - which I think will be difficult to changes as 1) amending the constitution is no easy task & 2) you will get a no vote on this from the large legal hispanic community and well as 1st or 2nd generation immigrants.

What about babies born to legal immigrants or legal visitors to the country? Would you exclude them as well?

 

[Aisengard]

I support citizenizing children of legal permanent residents of this country. Children of visitors born in the USA can be citizens of the parents' home country. I don't see any reason for things to be different.

 

[aidanjm]

immigrants aren't the reason standards of living are decreasing. look at Bush's tax policies.

 

[umbrella39]

I think we need to rethink this policy but not repeal those already granted citizenship.

 

[1EZduzit]

Originally posted by: jackschmittusa
The time has long past when it first became prudent to modify the birth citizenship rules.

Better late then never.

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

14th Amendment to the US Constitution section 1, the word born must be removed.

The 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments were approved at the end of our Civil War.
Thet were ment to define the end of slavery.


...Galvanized

 

[ebaycj]

Originally posted by: miketheidiot
I fully support giving citizenship to those born within our borders, whose parents came here legally on a tourist/work/school/etc. visa.

fixed for me.

 

[Craig234]

I fully support giving citizenship to those born within our borders.

I'm looking for a discussion, not just a conclusion where you stand. Why do you hold that view?

What about babies born to legal immigrants or legal visitors to the country? Would you exclude them as well?

I would exclude those legally visiting the US, and include those legally immigrated to the US. In other words, any legal *resident* gets citizenship for births, and anyone not legally *living* here does not, excluding illegal immigrants, and people on vacation, business trips, etc.

I think we need to rethink this policy but not repeal those already granted citizenship.

I agree.

immigrants aren't the reason standards of living are decreasing. look at Bush's tax policies.

All the studies I see and common sense tell me that the illegal immigrants provide a net plus to our economy, but this discussion is about citizenship at birth rather than the economic impact of illegal immigrants.

I note the vote is 16 to repeal the right, and 9 to keep it, but I've yet to see any arguments for the keep it position, and only one post explictly saying that. Speak up.

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: umbrella39
I think we need to rethink this policy but not repeal those already granted citizenship.

True, the horses have already left the barn.

 

[GroundedSailor]

Those who come here illegally in search of work or a better life will not be dissuaded by the fact that their babies born here will not get citizenship. We already have that problem with illegals who brought their children with them. Many children have finished school, and no matter how worthy they are, cannot get a college education due to the fact that they are illegals - so for one you are wasting talent there.

The children did not have a choice whether to come to the US or not or be born here or not. So basically you are punishing the next generation for the sins of their parents. The parents are already here illegally and have adapted to living and working in that fashion. It is the children who will bear the consequences all their lives as illegals. Deporting them after having lived here for 20, 30, 40 years is against all accepted principals of humanity.

By not giving them citizenship you are increasing the problem of illegals - if nothing else from a security point it worth knowing who they are and making them useful members of society.

We can stick our heads in the sand ignore the problem now by denying them citizenship or in a few years, as Jackalas posted, "we face some harsh realizations about what to do with all of them."

My final thoughts are that no matter what we on this forum think, given the demographics, changing the constitution on this issue is going to be nearly impossible unless true fascism takes hold.

 

[BoomerD]

If they're here illegally, then the child born here is illegal as well.
Change the law so that LEGAL immigrants (on visas or green cards, etc.) have to APPLY for citizenship for the child, and NOT grant it automatically. If they're naturalized citizens, then of course, the child becomes a citizen upon birth...
The "anchor baby" law makes it much tougher to send illegals home when they're caught, and should have NO bearing on whether to deport them or not.
Of course, I'm one of the Dems who advocates sending ALL illegals home...yes, ALL 30 million of them. Let them apply for citizenship like everyone else.

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: BoomerD
If they're here illegally, then the child born here is illegal as well.
Change the law so that LEGAL immigrants (on visas or green cards, etc.) have to APPLY for citizenship for the child, and NOT grant it automatically. If they're naturalized citizens, then of course, the child becomes a citizen upon birth...
The "anchor baby" law makes it much tougher to send illegals home when they're caught, and should have NO bearing on whether to deport them or not.

I'm one of the Dems who advocates sending ALL illegals home...yes, ALL 30 million of them. Let them apply for citizenship like everyone else.

I didn't know Dems have been pushing for rounding up all 30 million.

Is there actually a plan for that?

That would be drastic and too much of an impact on the so called great Economy.

 

[jpeyton]

Christ, how many of you guys failed to pass high school history? Amending The Constituition is a pipe dream with the divided partisan political environment we have today. Here's a refresher:

Amendment 14 - Citizenship Rights

1. All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

 

[Craig234]

Those who come here illegally in search of work or a better life will not be dissuaded by the fact that their babies born here will not get citizenship.

I agree, and the reason is not to dissuade them from coming. It's to avoid making the situation worse.

The children did not have a choice whether to come to the US or not or be born here or not. So basically you are punishing the next generation for the sins of their parents.

I'm not punishing them; they are still citizens of their parents' nation. I'm not giving them a reward for their parents' so-called sins.

Deporting them after having lived here for 20, 30, 40 years is against all accepted principals of humanity.

We're talking about births in the future. As for what to do with illegal immigrants who have lived here a long time, that's another issue to be hashed out. Citizenship, guest worker programs, some arrangement with Mexico for them to have the means to resettle, who knows.

By not giving them citizenship you are increasing the problem of illegals - if nothing else from a security point it worth knowing who they are and making them useful members of society.

That can be done without the automatic citizenship for birth.

My final thoughts are that no matter what we on this forum think, given the demographics, changing the constitution on this issue is going to be nearly impossible unless true fascism takes hold.

Perhaps. But I still think it's worth discussing why the electoral college should be ended as well, despite the virtual impossibility of passing that.

 

[magomago]

Still support it on the basis of its principle. I swear you guys get riled up over Mexicans so easily. I'm opposed to illegals, and this they should be all deporated immediately....BUT I don't think we should be taking such draconian measures. The only realistic way to deal with it is to make being LEGAL an easier process than ILLEGAL. So as long as it is easier to get in the US illegally, people will do it. I would support relaxing restrictions on getting in - and making the only thing we look for is simply criminal history + basic medical checkup (and of course illegal drugs ). Once we make the legal process MUCH easier, then all incentive to come here illegaly goes away. This isn't a rocket science or something...
Regardless though, a baby should be a citizen of where he was born...I fear that if we made the rules that parents must apply for citizenship, then we will have shady business such as rejecting a single ethnicity for potentially racial reasons which would be the antithesis of what this country is about. Yes yes I know I drew in the race card, but it is always something to consider.

 

[WhipperSnapper]

Originally posted by: Craig234
I think that automatic citzenship for all people born in the US is now a mistake and should be repealed.

Regardless of my views on many related issues - the desire for the US to help prosperity in Mexico, for improved conditions for Mexican labors, for bilingual resources, etc. - I do not see any justification for someone who is in the country illegally and gives birth to have the child automatically receive US citizenship under the law. This was passed in a very different time.

Another American wakes up. Good for you.

Be sure to read http://www.VDare.com

 

[WhipperSnapper]

Originally posted by: Jaskalas
I support stopping it, but the overall problem is that we appear to have no solutions for what to do with people once they are in the country. What can be done with tens of millions of illegals?

We?ll have a sub class of 30 million, 50 million once they all have children, 100 million by the time of their grand children, so either we accept them all as citizens or we face some harsh realizations about what to do with all of them.

I myself pause at the idea of dealing with a sub class in this country that is going to be 25% of our population.

Much of that sub-class will also be composed of Americans who were formerly known as the middle class and lower-middle class.

 

[WhipperSnapper]

Originally posted by: Puffnstuff
I am totally opposed to giving citizenship to the children of people who've broken our laws to enter this country. This is why so many cross the border to bear their children and it is wrong. If they want to enter this country let them do so in compliance with established law.

Note that the proper terminology for such children is: Anchor Baby

 

[WhipperSnapper]

Originally posted by: aidanjm
immigrants aren't the reason standards of living are decreasing. look at Bush's tax policies.

So, in your view, immigration and population explosion do not have any effects on quality of life (such as increased costs for resources like real estate and water)?

Why not just declare "open borders" and allow 1 billion people into the country?