CAIR - Colorado Alliance for Immigration Reform

Bitter debate over 'birthright' citizenship

By David Crary, Associated Press, Charlotte Observer

December 26, 2005

http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/news/nation/13489679.htm

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....

"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...

"It's an issue that we are very concerned about," said Michele Waslin, director of immigration policy research for the National Council of La Raza [National Council of THE RACE]...

Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo., a leading proponent of tougher measures to stop illegal immigration, believes public opinion could shift further in favor of Deal's measure.

"Any issue that has a `damn right' response, you can go with," Tancredo said. "You ask if we should stop illegal immigrants from coming onto this country and having a baby here who is an American citizen, and most people say, `Damn right.'"...

Some critics of current policy refer to U.S.-born children of illegal immigrants as "anchor babies" because - when they reach adulthood - they can sponsor their parents for legal permanent residency. [Illegal] Immigrants-rights groups say the number of such cases is smaller than critics allege, but authoritative statistics are scarce.

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