Birthright Citizenship: America’s Sazón

by Efrain Nieves

The latest hot topic has become birthright citizenship. Opponents are coming out with their revision of the Amendment. Senators Rand Paul (KY) and David Vitter (LA) wants to deny babies born to undocumented immigrants automatic citizenship.  Their proposal, only babies born in the United States who have at least one parent who is a legal resident, native-born or naturalized citizen, or an active member of the Armed Forces would automatically be U.S. citizens.

Republican state rep. from Pennsylvania Daryl Metcalfe was quoted in the New York Times as saying  “We want to bring an end to the illegal alien invasion that is having such a negative impact on our states.”  Actually Mr. Metcalfe, the number of undocumented immigrants decreased from 2008 to 2009 according to a report by the Department of Homeland Security.  The only invasion perpetrated is that of opponents against the Constitution.

Section 1 of the  14th Amendment states:

 All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

I believe many States are on their way to breaking this law and the people should demand action once these States have initiated an unconstitutional act. Citizenship should not be stripped from any person born in the United States nor should their right to equal protection. The opponents of the 14th Amendment (mainly Republicans) are non-patriotic, un-American and do not pledge allegiance to the flag. Their only agenda is to rid America if its sazón, its flavor, the root of our country, immigrants.

Estimates of the Unauthorized Immigrant Population Residing in the United States: January 2009

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