The 14th amendment of the U.S. constitution states that “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.” Opponents of birth right citizenship argue that the 14th amendment is not clear since it does not specifically state that babies born to parents who were in the United States unlawfully were automatically citizens. Proponents argue that overturning the 14th amendment would increase the number of undocumented immigrants with each child born here, cost the U.S. taxpayers billions, and reduce the tax base.
Narrow down which types of responses you would like to see.
Narrow down the conversation to these participants:
Discussions from these authors are shown:
Voting for candidate:
These active users have achieved advanced knowledge of the terminology, history, and legal implications regarding the topic of Immigration
@8QV48DY4yrs4Y
If granting them legal citizenship involves separating them from their parents, then no. However, there should be a program in place to help the illegal immigrants become citizens without jail time or separation from their children. Most illegals come to the US out of desperation and survival.
@9CM996SIndependent 9mos9MO
Yes, after they have lived in the US for 5 years and have not committed any misdemeanors or felonies.
@9XPFTQY9mos9MO
Yes if they were born here but if not then they should be able to apply for citizenship. Also, if the children have citizenship and care for their immigrant parents, the parents should not be deported.
@9XG2BF3Independent9mos9MO
They should have limited citizenship rights with the ability to become a citizen at age of 18 with approved employment or school
@9X9WF4Y9mos9MO
Yes, and to the family if they have been working and paying taxes for over 2years, but they need to learn about the country and the constitution first and know English
@9X8JN3NIndependent9mos9MO
Illegal immigrants should be deported or allowed a grace period to begin legal documentation. After that period passes, they get deported along with the child. Because it is illegal immigration and not a legal process.
@9WWZBQ5 9mos9MO
No. They should go through the process or have options unlike that of an adult illegally coming over such as serve 4 yrs in the military or graduate college.
@9WQ829X9mos9MO
Yes, IF the child was brought here under a certain age (to be decided) ESPECIALLY if the child went through the US school systems. You do not deport children based on their parents choices. And some children do not even know their home countries!
@9LY8TXZ1yr1Y
Yes, but only if they came under the age of 9, have no criminal record, and complete citizenship courses once they turn 18 and must complete them by 25
@9LLNC95 1yr1Y
First, FIX the immigration policy. Then, parents should have to apply for citizenship and then there children can get it.
@9J6W8PK1yr1Y
Yes if they were born here, or they have spent at least 3 year growing up here if they just got here no deport them.
@9J3JP2J 2yrs2Y
Yes, they shouldn't be punished for what their parents did, but they shouldn't be separated from their parents unless they want to be.
yes and give the parents temporary citizenship until the children turns 18 and if the parent hasn't gotten citizenship by then its is then legal to deport them
@9G3F2GW2yrs2Y
no, because all the other immigrants who have come to this country before will not get automatic citizenship for their kids.
@9FNVVH82yrs2Y
If they go through the proper procedures to become a citizen.
@9FLYFMT2yrs2Y
If their parents become citizens then yes, if not then no. they should stay with their parents. If orphans then yes, but they should take the civics test when of age.
@9FLXL8YWomen’s Equality2yrs2Y
if your living here for free while everyone else is forced to give their money away u can go right back where u came from
@9FG88LZ2yrs2Y
Yes illegal immigrants should legal citizenship even if they weren't born here.
yes but making them legal
@966M69N3yrs3Y
Yes, but only if they were born here and pass a test demonstrating a basic understanding of our language, history, and political system.
@96228B93yrs3Y
Yes, but only if the illegal parents pay taxes and have been living in the US more than 5 years and have not been receiving government assistance
@953JJXW3yrs3Y
Children should have citizenship if the parents become legal.
@949DFR33yrs3Y
Yes, if their parents undergo the naturalization posses
@93Q5WMY3yrs3Y
Maybe, there are too many factors to answer this question
@8ZQ7ZWL3yrs3Y
Yes, but only if there were born on U.S. soil
@8Z79QFF3yrs3Y
Yes, if their connection to America is strong enough.
@8YZV3TK3yrs3Y
As long as they have passed their own citizenship test or born on American soil.
@8YX8335Independent3yrs3Y
No, they should be returned to their parents and sent back to where their parents come from until they can immigrate legally.
@8W7C3C84yrs4Y
yes if they were brought here as children and without it being their choice
Yes; through the standard immigration process established by comprehensive immigration, migrant-worker, & asylum reform. Though their consideration should be conditionally deferred in preference to law abiding immigrants.
@8TSFX934yrs4Y
Yes, but the pathway to citizenship should be reworked, simplified, and not expensive and inaccessible as it currently is.
@8TJLSGP4yrs4Y
If the child was born here they should be considered a legal citizen, but heir parents either have to apply for citizenship or be deported back to their country; otherwise if the child was not born here, they and their parents need to apply for citizenship or be deported back to their country
@8TGD6Y9Libertarian4yrs4Y
Yes, if they wish to, and their parents too.
@8TF33M3Transhumanist4yrs4Y
Yes, and give the parents citizenship
@8T8S2FY4yrs4Y
yes, and they should be able to make more than one person a citizen through family
@8SFM89T4yrs4Y
This is far too complicated for a yes/no question
@8S5N6MR4yrs4Y
Yes, and give their parents a simple path to citizenship.
Unless at least one parent of a child is a US citizen, they should not automatically be granted US citizenship because it only causes confusion and difficulty for our immigration system. This law needs to change!
@8RQ2P364yrs4Y
on one hand they're just kids but kids without their parents isnt much better at all and theres too many issues with sex trafficking and how they treat the kids to trust that they will be safe
yes but have to have a good history of being in the united state.
@8R4Z7C6Republican4yrs4Y
yes if they were born here but parents should not be granted citizenship
@8R4FT634yrs4Y
It depends on the circumstances of the parents and how long they have lived and worked in the US.
It depends if they were born here or if they have family who is US citizenship
@8QWPSNGRepublican4yrs4Y
Yes but birth and age limits.
@8QL3RK8Independent4yrs4Y
No, but they should be offered asylum with assistance in obtaining citizenship.
@8Q4XLQZ5yrs5Y
Yes as long as they pass the civics/immigration test
@8PRNCVH5yrs5Y
No, give them a permanent residence status but they must apply for the citizenship process.
@8PQR5Y35yrs5Y
Yes, but only if they have not committed any violent crimes.
@8PHH3TK5yrs5Y
Yes, but only after going through the legalization proccess.
@8PFRFRH5yrs5Y
We need to do something for the group who have essentially lived here their whole lives but at the same time establish solid immigration laws for future
@8NGYBM25yrs5Y
Yes, only if they get a legal u.s. ID confimed by the goverment
@funisfun8Republican5yrs5Y
No, but if they were born here they should be given priority when applying for citizenship.
@8N84LV35yrs5Y
yes if they apply for it and understand the terms and laws
@8KWMJLN5yrs5Y
Families shouldn't be separated, though they should go through the formal application; but the process should be made more efficient and less redundant.
@8JZ42V95yrs5Y
Yes, if they were born her or brought over at a young age (10 or younger)
@8JV8XYR5yrs5Y
If they are born here or after serving in the military or graduation from college.
@8G2HH9Q5yrs5Y
Yes, if they were born here or brought to the country as minor children
@8FRZFQM5yrs5Y
Yes, especially if born here and their parents have applied for citizenship.
@zeltashanaIndependent5yrs5Y
yes/no, immigration reform to improve the ability for families and individuals to become citizens is necessary.
@8F52T275yrs5Y
I think they should be offered a simple path to citizenship if this has been their home majority of life.
@8DV8W3X5yrs5Y
only if the parents are working toward citizenship and are here legally...
@8DQT9DF5yrs5Y
no, but should be granted permanent residency
@8D76S3G5yrs5Y
A path to citizenship should be open for these children - if their parents apply for citizenship, it should be granted to them as well. If children of illegal immigrants were born here and are of a young enough age, then they should be given up for adoption if they express a desire to become citizens of the US. These foster parents can then educate them and they would be considered de - facto US citizens provided the parents sign a contract stating that at the earliest available opportunity, these children would apply for US citizenship. If they are old enough to study on their own, then they should be granted licenses to work for the period of time they would need to study for the citizenship test.
@8CFBL295yrs5Y
yes only after living in the US for 5-8 years
@9BFM96H2yrs2Y
Yes If the parents pay taxes
@9BFGR8W2yrs2Y
Not necessarily granted it but if they’re children it’s going to take more time for them to adapt so at some point they need to apply but it’s not a rushed process because they are younger
@9B4PTS52yrs2Y
No but we should allow it for legal resident non-citizens.
@7YS3KJPIndependent2yrs2Y
Yes. A path to citizenship should be open for these children - if their parents apply for citizenship, it should be granted to them as well. If children of illegal immigrants were born here, then they should be given citizenship provided they apply for it.
@7YS3KJPIndependent3yrs3Y
Yes. A path to citizenship should be open for these children - if their parents apply for citizenship, it should be granted to them as well. If children of illegal immigrants were born here, then they should be given citizenship provided they take and pass a standardized test.
Yes, if they were born here and if they are under the age of 16
@9656RFF3yrs3Y
Yes, but they have to perform some civil duty or act or sign papers
@95RMJGZ3yrs3Y
Yes, but there should be some simple requirements such as time in the country and no criminal record.
@93DNVK5Progressive3yrs3Y
If they were born here and the illegal immigrant parents came here to raise their kid then yes
@93CNLX83yrs3Y
yes if they were born here but also the should have to formally apply when they are older
@92XDLRL3yrs3Y
No unless they are born in the states then by law they are citizens
@8YXC4RL3yrs3Y
Depends on age, but it should depend on the parent's status.
@8TYDK32Republican4yrs4Y
Yes, if they were born here, and their parents, if they have lived, here for over 4 years.
@8QTXBVM4yrs4Y
yes, but only meeting the certain requirement that makes them eligible to become a citizen.
@8PWY3X7Republican5yrs5Y
Under the 14th Amendment - no child of parents not under the jurisdiction of the United States are American Citizens born on US soil... (Think of a foreign Ambassador's wife having a child while in the US - that child is NOT an American Citizen)
@8JYLKM45yrs5Y
yes, the children should be granted citizenship for being in the US obviously if they are born here and if they are under 18 years old.
@8GPXWPX5yrs5Y
Only if the Child was born in the US.
@8GBLXWL5yrs5Y
If they were brought here illegally they are still illegal. If they were born hee they are able to stay as citizens
@8DKK2WW5yrs5Y
yes, and grant their parent(s) citizenship as well
@63ZXW6NLibertarian4yrs4Y
If they wish to be citizens, yes.
@9GS3D3M2yrs2Y
No, we should pass a legislature that expressly says that children born in the U.S. will only be given legal citizenship if their parents are also citizens. If they are not, then they must formally apply.
@8H7KLFX5yrs5Y
No, they must formally apply like every other new citizen, however, if they were born here that should be taken into consideration
Loading the political themes of users that engaged with this discussion
Loading data...
Join in on more popular conversations.
