Birthright Citizenship Law Questioned by American Bar Association
The American Bar Association (ABA) is hoping to thwart an attempt that is being made by two U.S. Senators to amend the United States Constitution and challenge the citizenship of children born to illegal immigrants in the United States.
The attempted amendment to the Constitution comes from Senator David Vitter and Senator Rand Paul, both republicans.
The two men introduced the bill this past January that they hope will modify the Citizenship Clause of 14th Amendment.
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However, the American Bar Association passed a resolution on Tuesday urging the U.S. Congress to not make any modifications to the Constitution that would revise birthright.
The 14th Amendment Citizenship Clause states, “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and the State wherein they reside.”
However, the two senators are backing the bill because they do not believe the amendment establishes a birthright citizenship to children of illegal immigrants by either language or intent.
Thus, according to Vitter and Paul’s resolution, a child born in the U.S. could only become a citizen if one of their parents has U.S. citizenship, is a legal immigrant, or a member of the U.S. armed forces.
Senator Paul has been quoted as saying, “Closing this loophole will not prevent them from becoming citizens, but will ensure that they have to go through the same process as anyone else who wants to become an American citizen.“
He has also said, “Citizenship is a privilege, and only those who respect our immigration laws should be allowed to enjoy its benefits. This legislation makes it necessary that everyone follow the rules, and goes through the same process to become a U.S. citizen.”
The Bar Association argues that the bill is racist in intent and President Stephen Zack has been quoted as saying, “This is something that should be avoided at all costs. Certain issues are not about what the words are about, but what the underlying concerns are about.”
President Obama has also supported a change in immigration laws, but his support is more in line with the DREAM Act. Obama said at his January 25th State of the Union speech, “Let’s stop expelling talented, responsible young people who could be staffing our research labs or starting a new business, who could be further enriching this nation.”
