Birthright Citizenship

A lot of people are joining in the growing heated discussion on birthright citizenship.

It is a big issue. And more so because of who wants to abolish it.


What Is It

So many people have their own opinions on this matter yet most do not even know what it is all about.

Birthright Citizenship simply means that anyone born in the U.S. is considered a citizen at birth.

But are we even aware that criminal minds are helping pregnant people from other countries to come to the United States and keep them for a certain period in safe places where they are kept hidden until they can give birth? Yes for a fee.

California man sentenced for helping pregnant Chinese women travel to give birth in the US

Birth Tourism

Criminals have taken advantage of this policy for a long time.

Here is why it is legal.

14th Amendment

Section 1

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.

This is the main argument for birthright citizenship. This and a ruling of the Supreme Court in 1898.


The important questions here are:

1. What does "subject to the jurisdiction thereof" mean and

2. Will 47 uphold the statement, "without due process of law".

And also can we do something about this shameful birth tourism industry?

These are why this is a big issue.

Bigger Issue

But the big problem really is that everyone is biased.

And people will side with the things that will benefit them.

People will oppose those which will have a negative impact on them (directly and even indirectly).

They will agree with what the policies (the agenda) of the political color they identify with.

And people will thumb down anything someone they hate are saying.

Sigh

Both the Red and the Blue side are equally bad. People look at one color with a negative filter.

Birthright Citizenship isn't universal and more countries all over the world do not ascribe to it. Only 15% of all countries have this.

There are only 30 or so countries which have unrestricted birthright citizenship: 
Antigua, Argentina, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chad, Chile, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Fiji, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Jamaica, Lesotho, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, the United States, Uruguay and Venezuela.

Source: worldpopulationreview.com

It is not universally recognized, mostly it is only practiced in the Americas (North, Central and South America).

Countries like Australia, New Zealand, Japan, all of Asia and most of Africa and all of Europe do not have birthright citizenship.

Map of those with Birthright Citizenship (cis.org)

#biased