GOP bill would restrict birthright citizenship

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[Dubya]

There are few more basic tenets in the U.S. Constitution than this: If you're born in the U.S., you're a citizen.

But as we all know it gets a bit more complicated for some when you add illegal immigrants into the equation.

Some of you on this blog have called for a crackdown on birthright citizenship. You say far too many immigrants enter the U.S. illegally and have children here.

[Dubya]

You have many people coming to this country illegally. They come to this country and have babies. The children are citizens. The children are eligible to go to school. They receive food stamps and social programs. The American taxpayers are paying for it.

The chances of this bill even getting a committee hearing are slim to none.

[bronxville]

It needs to be put on the table - we’re broke. Good for the GOP.

[cvq3842]

There is significant legal scholarship indicating that in fact the Constitution does NOT mandate “birthright citizenship.” People should look at the meaning of “and subject to the jurisdiction thereof” in the 14th Amendment and the legislative history.

[a fool in paradise]

Houston Comical blather...

There are few more basic tenets in the U.S. Constitution than this: If you're born in the U.S., you're a citizen.

If it was a BASIC TENET of the US Constitution, it would have been codified in the original Bill of Rights.

[a fool in paradise]

"This bill doesn't do anything to fix our broken immigration system."

That's because illegal immigrants a better shake from the system than those who actually fill out the paperwork to become legal citizens the first time.

[OldDeckHand]

It would be great if such legislation could be enacted, if even just for the children of illegal aliens if nothing else. But, I have a better chance of winning the Masters this spring than this even making it out of committee. Not only would it not get a single Dem vote, I doubt more than a third of Republicans would support such a measure.

If passed, it would make the management of the country so much easier, and it's continued solvency that much more likely. It's too bad it doesn't stand a chance.

[ari-freedom]

better idea: end the welfare state for everybody

[a fool in paradise]

The 14th Amendment is not part of the “basic” Constitution as the author of the blog claimed.

I’m not saying toss the Amendment out, but he acted as if being born here even when your parents have no claims to citizenship still makes you a full blooded American (and legally able to petition to have your parents establish citizenship) which is a stretch.

[Genoa]

I think it’s pretty reasonable that birthright citizenship needs to be restricted to those who are born of at least one citizen parent. (This is not about the “natural born” issue, which I agree ought to require two citizen parents.)

[Eagles6]

"The chances of this bill even getting a committee hearing are slim to none."

Unfortunately true. I am pretty sure that Canada had a similar law and changed it due to an influx of illegals.

[a fool in paradise]

If these tools weren’t antiAmerican (anti-US), they would be pushing for open borders everywhere, not just here. Open Mexico’s border to immigrants from Guatemala. Open Japan to those who want citizenship and have no Japanese ancestry. Open up New Zealand to those who are “too obese” to immigrate there...

[egannacht]

There are countries in the world that automatically issue dual citizenship. How does this square with strict interpretation one cannot possess dual citizenship ever, especially if they never knew they were in such a situation?

[bvw]

There are few more basic tenets in the U.S. Constitution than this: If you're born in the U.S., you're a citizen.

Well, that which starts with a lie, ends badly.

[GeorgiaDawg32]

We should ban these types of divisive proposals. All this bill is meant to do is play on people’s fears, incite anger and hate

GREAT..He’s against obamacare since it does the same thing..oh, wait..nevermind..

[Gaffer]

I don’t care what other countries do as far as ‘dual citizenship’, frankly. Illegals are just that, ILLEGAL. Their offspring no different, and certainly not legitimate citizens, at best, a loophole. If through this loophole they gain citizenship, it shouldn’t be until they reach legal age and can freely do so, from the home country of their deported parents (along with them)....Furthermore, anyone, ANYONE, having been determined to be here illegally at any time, NEVER be allowed to enter the US for any purpose.

[FormerACLUmember]

There are few more basic tenets in the U.S. Constitution than this: If you're born in the U.S., you're a citizen.

Uh, like where in the Constitution is this Anchor Baby Statute?

[bjorn14]

Of the 38 counties in the world that have “birthright citizenship” only 2 would I consider developed (US & Canada) the rest are third world ratholes that no one want to go to any way. The US needs to change the law but I don’t see that happening in my lifetime.

[Dr. Eckleburg]

This is a really stupid move. The answer is not to change the immigration laws; it's to enforce the immigration laws.

We don't want to relinquish to the democrats the high road in protecting Constitutional guarantees.

[Free Vulcan]

and close the damn borders!

[Free Vulcan]

of course, if we would define that life starts at conception, then the mother couldn’t drag her arse across the border to birth an American citizen. They would be the citizen of the country they were conceived in.