In an attempt to broaden Arizona's controversial crackdown on illegal immigration, state lawmakers are working on a new bill to deny citizenship to "anchor babies" — children born to illegal immigrants on U.S. soil. The bill faces a huge hurdle in the Constitution's 14th Amendment, which states that anyone "born or naturalized" in the U.S. is entitled to citizenship. Republican state senator Russell Pearce, the bill's lead sponsor, says the measure is necessary to stop illegal immigrants who have "hijacked" the 14th Amendment to "gain access to the great welfare state we've created." Is denying citizenship to children born to illegal immigrants necessary to discourage people from breaking the law — or is it blatantly unconstitutional? (Watch a Russia Today report about Arizona's proposed "anchor babies" crackdown)
We need to rethink the Constitution: The 14th Amendment does provide "birthright citizenship to all people born in the country," says J.C. Arenas in American Thinker. But "the Founders of this great country" never intended to let scofflaws use their kids "as breathing Powerball tickets." When illegal immigrants are abusing the 14th Amendment to get their families access to social programs, at taxpayer expense, the time has come to redefine "birthright citizenship."
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