‘Birthright citizenship’ debate set to begin

[Bubba]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10609068/

NEW YORK - A proposal to change long-standing federal policy and deny citizenship to babies born to illegal immigrants on U.S. soil ran aground this month in Congress, but it is sure to resurface — kindling bitter debate even if it fails to become law.
At issue is “birthright citizenship” — provided for since the Constitution’s 14th Amendment was ratified in 1868.
Section 1 of that amendment, drafted with freed slaves in mind, says: “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States.”
Some conservatives in Congress, as well as advocacy groups seeking to crack down on illegal immigration, say the amendment has been misapplied over the years, that it was never intended to grant citizenship automatically to babies of illegal immigrants. Thus they contend that federal legislation, rather than a difficult-to-achieve constitutional amendment, would be sufficient to end birthright citizenship.
House bill dies without vote
With more than 70 co-sponsors, Georgia Republican Rep. Nathan Deal tried to include a revocation of birthright citizenship in an immigration bill passed by the House in mid-December. GOP House leaders did not let the proposal come to a vote....

[Lone Gunman]

“Most Americans feel it doesn’t make any sense for people to come into the country illegally, give birth and have a new U.S. citizen,” said Ira Mehlman of the Federation of American Immigration Reform, which backs Deal’s proposal. “But the advocates for illegal immigrants will make a fuss; they’ll claim you’re punishing the children, and I suspect the leadership doesn’t want to deal with that.”

Count me among the Americans who don't feel it makes any sense. The leadership should understand that dealing with such issues is part of their job. I don't see the children being punished by not giving them something they basically have no right to.

[TexKan]

I love kids as much as the next mama does but I believe that a "Nuetral" L&D is needed for those hospitals that seem to be the "delivery" points for preg illegals and thier "bundles of joy". We HAVE to deliver them when they show up at the ER "ready to go" but we don't have to give our citizen ship away. Remeber these moms have NO history, NO insurance, NO plan on paying. We have plenty of crack moms doing this everyday across the country no prenatal, just showing up to deliver. We don't need to lay the red carpet out for illegals when you already know what their "game plan" was. Deliver them, send the bill to Vicente Fox and send the "family back home.

[Bubba]

Notice that the amendment was in 1868 and was meant to give the slaves that were born in this country citizenship. I think that an illegal immigrant, Mexican or otherwise, has no right to be in the country. So, if they have no right to be here, just because they have a baby here shouldn't give the baby the right to be a citizen. Now, on a similar note, if an immigrant is in the country legally, even if only on a student visa or just for visiting, and they have a baby while here legally then they should have the right to declare their baby either a citizen of the US or of their own country depending on what they choose to do for their child.

Does that make me a racist?

[Lone Gunman]

Originally Posted by Bubba

Notice that the amendment was in 1868 and was meant to give the slaves that were born in this country citizenship. I think that an illegal immigrant, Mexican or otherwise, has no right to be in the country. So, if they have no right to be here, just because they have a baby here shouldn't give the baby the right to be a citizen. Now, on a similar note, if an immigrant is in the country legally, even if only on a student visa or just for visiting, and they have a baby while here legally then they should have the right to declare their baby either a citizen of the US or of their own country depending on what they choose to do for their child.

Does that make me a racist?

No it doesn't make you a racisit, it makes you a proud and maybe somewhat fed up American. My ancestors came to this country from Germany in the early 1900's. They became citizens, learned to speak english and became productive members of our society. They raised their kids as Americans and were damn proud to be American. The ones who come here just to rape this country and the hard working tax payers get no sympathy from me. Does that make me a racist?

[Clueless]

Originally Posted by Bubba

Does that make me a racist?

Great question - because the answer is a LOUD no! You make a perfect point that discussions of immigration and citizenship has nothing to do with race. The bigot's throw that word up - but it just doesn't fit. Immigration has to do with a legal right to be in the US, either temporarily or permanently.

Citizenship is a completely different matter - either acquired by right, or by priviledge granted. Most of our initial ancestors became a citizen by priviledge granted and very few of us have original resident ancestors who acquired their citizenship by right.

Funny how so many now believe that if I'm here - I should be granted citizenship (regardless of rules of immigration). Sorta the same premise of "if I have it, it's mine".

My family (both sides) immigrated to the colonies 150 years before we had a country - I guess we became citizens by right, but the native americans were'nt necessarily in favor of that - then or now.....

[Made in the USA]

My ancestors were here waiting on you guys to show up, so we could trade blankets and beads for booze and broads!! :green:

Chief Big Honker
Udropemwampum Casino

[Clueless]

Originally Posted by Made in the USA

My ancestors were here waiting on you guys to show up, so we could trade blankets and beads for booze and broads!! :green:

Chief Big Honker
Udropemwampum Casino

I don't know - my people were puritans. Had some booze - but I'm not thinkin there were any 'broads' to spare. 'Course, the first Thanksgiving lasted for three days...so, who knows. I always thought you guys brought the corn-booze and we killed the turkeys and deer. Most of our women died that winter and yours were probably looking mighty-fine. Hasn't changed much in 385 years has it.....

[Made in the USA]

Smoke-um peace pipe~~~~~~~~~~~``