Rust Never Sleeps: Birthright Citizenship Under Attack Again

A group of state legislators announced yesterday their intention to pass state-based legislation that would challenge birthright citizenship currently protected in the 14th amendment to the U.S. Constitution. This is the latest attempt to introduce bills that would deny U.S. citizenship to children whose parents are in the U.S. without authorization or on temporary visas. As restrictionist groups and legislators continue in their attempts to restrict or repeal birthright citizenship in State Houses and the U.S. Congress, it’s important to remember that ending birthright citizenship would be unconstitutional, impractical, expensive, complicated and would not stop unauthorized immigration. The Immigration Policy Center (IPC) has developed a range of resources which present a strong case for maintaining and celebrating birthright citizenship and our civil rights heritage. To view IPC’s resources on birthright citizenship, see Defending the Fourteenth Amendment (IPC Resource Page, August, 2010).

KJ