"Anchor Babies" and the 14th Amendment
The issue of "anchor babies" and the citizenship conferred upon them by virtue of birth within the USA is getting a lot of exposure lately. I'm of mixed mind on this one. Most nations do not confer citizenship on the basis of birth location (jus soli), but upon the nationality/citizenship of the parent (jus sanguinis).
Our "jus soli" system, embodied within the 14th amendment, became law in 1868 during reconstruction and was largely a reaction to the Dred Scott decision (1857) in which the Supreme Court ruled that descendants of African slaves could never become citizens. I understand the modern-day concerns about "anchor babies," but at the same time I have concerns about right-wing politicians stroking our darker xenophobic tendencies. Furthermore, revocation of the 14th Amendment might set a precedent for future revocation of citizenship based upon some sort of loyalty or patriotism test. As it is now, if you're born in the US, you are a American citizen and this cannot be revoked (unless you yourself choose to renounce it). In contrast, naturalization can be revoked if attained through fraud. In that this would require a constitutional amendment (an arduous process indeed), I fear that the current GOP position on this issue is simply yet another cynical attempt to creat a wedge issue. What say you? |
Rather surprised that it is Lindsay Graham pushing it, I would expect it from Jug Ears.
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excellet post, it's ashame no politician arrives at their opinion in such a measured and considered manner
IMO the only reason we are even talking about this is for political reasons not because this is or has ever been a problem that needed addressing as such I think discussion of repealing an amendment to the constitution for strictly political gain is not only ill advised but also unethical |
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And I would agree that this issue has been brought forth, at this time, to serve as a wedge issue. But it is an issue which needs to be addressed, IMHO. Which means, it will be totally ignored as soon as the election is over. Elections aren't about us, they're about them. Chas |
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The micro world the voters see consists of a difference between the parties. Chas |
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Regards, D-Ray |
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you are God damed right |
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Race is going to be the hot ticket item this cycle. Remember Willie Horton? The Republicans were trying to show that Dukakis was soft on crime, and the Democrats turned it around and claimed that the Pubbies were trying to scare the white folks with a black man. Now I realize that we view the world through a different prism, but the Democrats playing the race card is so blatantly obvious to me that I wonder how anyone else could not notice it. Just being honest here. Actually, it's kind of like me going mushroom hunting. I can't find one to save my soul because I'm looking for the wrong thing. The picture in my mind is incorrect. I know what a mushroom looks like, but I don't know what one looks like in it's natural surroundings. Then we have the old class warfare ploy. Somehow, the likes of a John Skerry on the bow of his yacht pointing out how the rich Republicans will screw me is a tough sell. Not that the Pubbies are any better. They just tell me more lies I want to hear than the Donks do. And I only agree with them maybe 60% of the time. Chas |
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