GOP wants to review birthright citizenship

Jelly Bean Lover · 08-04-2010, 02:29 PM

The more that I think about this, the more un-American it seems. This is a perfect example of trying to work with the GOP. When the Democrats seem willing to work with them and concede things like securing the border, the Republicans come up with more lunatic demands to push the debate farther right.

Another interesting side note, which my girlfriend pointed out to me, is that these Republicans who support this are largely from the South and white. It really would not surprise me if they began to move backwards on other civil rights issues to win votes from the hick back country. This is certainly on Graham's mind: isn't he up for reelection during the election cylce after this coming one?

Quote:

WASHINGTON – Leading Republicans are joining a push to reconsider the constitutional amendment that grants automatic citizenship to people born in the United States.

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said Tuesday he supports holding hearings on the 14th Amendment right, although he emphasized that Washington's immigration focus should remain on border security.

His comments came as other Republicans in recent days have questioned or challenged birthright citizenship, embracing a cause that had largely been confined to the far right.

The senators include Arizona's John McCain, the party's 2008 presidential nominee; Arizona's Jon Kyl, the Republicans' second-ranking senator; Alabama's Jeff Sessions, the top Republican on the Judiciary Committee, and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, a leading negotiator on immigration legislation.

"I'm not sure exactly what the drafters of the (14th) amendment had in mind, but I doubt it was that somebody could fly in from Brazil and have a child and fly back home with that child, and that child is forever an American citizen," Sessions said.

Legal experts say repealing the citizenship right can be done only through constitutional amendment, which would require approval by two-thirds majorities in both chambers of Congress and by three-fourths of the states. Legislation to amend the right, introduced previously in the House, has stalled.

The proposals are sure to appeal to conservative voters as immigration so far is playing a central role in November's elections. They also could carry risks by alienating Hispanic voters and alarming moderates who could view constitutional challenges as extreme. Hispanics have become the largest minority group in the United States, and many are highly driven by the illegal immigrant debate.

McConnell and McCain seemed to recognize the risk by offering guarded statements Tuesday.

McCain, who faces a challenge from the right in his re-election bid, said he supports reviewing citizenship rights. He emphasized, however, that amending the Constitution is a serious matter.

"I believe that the Constitution is a strong, complete and carefully crafted document that has successfully governed our nation for centuries and any proposal to amend the Constitution should receive extensive and thoughtful consideration," he said.

At a news conference, McConnell refused to endorse Graham's suggestion that citizenship rights be repealed for children of illegal immigrants. While refusing to take questions, he suggested instead that he would look narrowly into reports of businesses that help immigrants arrange to have babies in the United States in order to win their children U.S. citizenship.

The 14th Amendment, adopted in 1868 in the aftermath of the Civil War, granted citizenship to "all persons born or naturalized in the United States," including recently freed slaves.

Defenders of the amendment say altering it would weaken a fundamental American value while doing little to deter illegal immigration. They also say it would create bureaucratic hardships for parents giving birth.

Quoting a newspaper columnist, Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid of Nevada said Republicans were "either taking leave of their senses or their principles" in advocating repeal.

An estimated 10.8 million illegal immigrants were living in the U.S. as of January 2009, according to the Homeland Security Department. The Pew Hispanic Center estimates that as of 2008, there were 3.8 million illegal immigrants in this country whose children are U.S. citizens.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100803/...ht_citizenship

angie123 · 08-04-2010, 04:14 PM

motives behind GOPs ' attack of the 14th amendment:

The truth is it likely boils down to two things: riling up their base before November’s midterm elections and creating a toxic environment to kill any chance of the DREAM Act passing if and when it is introduced this fall

http://wonkroom.thinkprogress.org/20...nth-amendment/

dtrt09 · 08-04-2010, 04:40 PM

They want to repeal equal rights for anyone who doesn't look the same, thinks the same, or lives the same as them. Xenophobia at work in government...

Qualia · 08-04-2010, 05:07 PM

Its the work of owned politicians, wait until Anthony Weiner gets a chance to call them all out

piratedream · 08-04-2010, 07:28 PM

This is just them trying to appeal to the very right and get support before the elections. The same reason McCain is suddenly wary to support immigration reform. There's no chance of it actually happening. It's kind of funny though, that they can say they want to uphold all parts of the Constitution and then start talking about this.

hayire · 08-04-2010, 09:24 PM

I don't think this is a lunatic idea. I support repealing the 14th amemdment because a lot of people abuse the system by having three or four babies and start collecting food stamps and welfare from the goverment. This is a great bargaing chip for immigration reform and many republincans will jump on board! we should call Kyl, McCain and Graham and encourage them to use this a bargaining chip for ligalization.

lilbawler2001 · 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hayire

I don't think this is a lunatic idea. I support repealing the 14th amemdment because a lot of people abuse the system by having three or four babies and start collecting food stamps and welfare from the goverment. This is a great bargaing chip for immigration reform and many republincans will jump on board! we should call Kyl, McCain and Graham and encourage them to use this a bargaining chip for ligalization.

Repealing the 14th amendment is not going to stop illegal immigrants from coming to the United States to provide for their families. What do you do with the thousands of kids who are born here in the United States after this amendment has been repealed? I can't believe any dreamer would even support this nonsense being pushed by the GOP.

Sindel · 08-04-2010, 10:09 PM

Aren't these the same people who love to rub the constitution in everybody's face when it comes to gun rights? Funny how the constitution is suddenly not so perfect...

Abaddon · 08-04-2010, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lilbawler2001

Repealing the 14th amendment is not going to stop illegal immigrants from coming to the United States to provide for their families. What do you do with the thousands of kids who are born here in the United States after this amendment has been repealed? I can't believe any dreamer would even support this nonsense being pushed by the GOP.

I also hope that no one does support an end to birthright citizenship. I sure hope that none of us support such heresy.

dtrt09 · 08-04-2010, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sindel

Aren't these the same people who love to rub the constitution in everybody's face when it comes to gun rights? Funny how the constitution is suddenly not so perfect...

Dude, the second amendement is the only one they like. It's funny how all the teabaggers are foaming at the mouth regarding this, especially the ones in the south. Which by they way, were only allowed to join the Union after the Civil War on the condition that they ratify the 13,14, and 15th amendements. For all intents and purposes, those who repeal these amendements, have to secede and the citizens of these states loose citizenship. I wonder if they have thought about it...

But...this is a distraction from passage of DREAM act.

They need you!

Forum links

Resources

Join our list

National calendar of events

April

GOP wants to review birthright citizenship