Smaller Thoughts

Georgia Congressman wants to end 'birthright citizenship' | ajc.com

Under Deal’s proposal, babies born in the U.S. would automatically have citizenship only if at least one of their parents is a U.S. citizen or national, a legal permanent resident of the U.S., or actively serving in the U.S. military.

Azadeh Shahshahani, director of the Immigrants Rights Project of the American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia, said the proposed law “is not cognizant with the American spirit.”

“We would stand in strong opposition to this bill as it’s in fundamental contradiction to our nation’s long history of welcoming immigrants and bestowing inalienable rights” on all people born here, regardless of the circumstances of their birth, she said.

Supporters of the bill say automatic citizenship provides an incentive for women to risk coming to the country illegally. They call U.S.-born children of illegal immigrants “anchor babies” because, when they become adults, the children can sponsor their parents for legal permanent residency.

“Coming into the country for the express purpose of having a child in order to anchor that child and yourself is, in effect, gaming the system,” Dane said.

I don’t think taking away birthright citizenship is the answer. What we should do however, is require that the mother be in the country legally. She need not be a citizen for her U.S.-born child to receive citizenship, but she can’t sneak across the border in order to birth her child on U.S. soil. No papers, no citizenship - for anyone. Fair?

Source: sarahchristine