[Cowboy Bob]

As David Rivkin and John Yoo have recounted, Pennsylvania Sen. Edgar Cowan asked: “Is the child of the Chinese immigrant in California a citizen?” Sen. John Conness of California responded yes.

Magic word: "Immigrant"

Not tourist, not illegal alien.

[AndyJackson]

"Immigrant"

Emphasis - to be an immigrant you must have complied with the immigration laws of the US under the powers of the Congress to "To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization" and the implied power under the prohibition "The Migration or Importation of such Persons as any of the States now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior to the Year one thousand eight hundred and eight," and "To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers"

[Oldeconomybuyer]

“Is the child of the Chinese [illegal] immigrant in California a citizen”?

No.

“Is the child of the Chinese [legal] immigrant in California a citizen”?

Yes.

[elpadre]

No, “immigrant” is a word for legal, permanent residents. It is commonly misused in the media and general conversation, but illegal aliens are not immigrants. We are a nation of immigrants - legally entered and here.