Citizenship for Children of Immigrants
Apparently there's a movement in congress right now toward abolishing automatic citizenship for children of immigrants (it's not entirely clear from the article I read whether this is directed at all immigrants or just illegal immigrants). Read the piece in the opinion journal here. The author, Ms. Tamar Jacoby, seems to be of the opinion that it is a knee jerk reaction to increased cost for social services. I wonder if the real reasons aren't somewhat deeper and if perhaps there isn't a bit of protectionism involved. Illegal immigrants make an easy target to point out as the demonized "other." Much easier at any rate than terrorists/general unsavory characters who get in legally. Plus, it shifts blame from the government for letting in undesirables squarely into the lap of the "other."
America has a long history as a nation of immigrants, with particular groups marginalized before being accepted into general society. Is this move a continuation of that history, or a sign that we are no longer a nation that is willing to accept "huddled masses?"
Ms. Jacoby also brings up the point that nations in Europe (particularly France) have more trouble integrating immigrants into society than the US apparently does and speculates that this is due to the lack of automatic citizenship for children of immigrants. Could this move lead to French problems in the US?
The strong history of immigrants in the US makes me very nervous about the idea of abolishing birth citizenship. Would this even have any affect other than declaring more people illegal?
America has a long history as a nation of immigrants, with particular groups marginalized before being accepted into general society. Is this move a continuation of that history, or a sign that we are no longer a nation that is willing to accept "huddled masses?"
Ms. Jacoby also brings up the point that nations in Europe (particularly France) have more trouble integrating immigrants into society than the US apparently does and speculates that this is due to the lack of automatic citizenship for children of immigrants. Could this move lead to French problems in the US?
The strong history of immigrants in the US makes me very nervous about the idea of abolishing birth citizenship. Would this even have any affect other than declaring more people illegal?
posted by Victoria at 11:04 AM
3 Comments:
Victoria, I haven't read about this recently, but during my semester in Washington I had an interview with a legislative assistant to a Congressman from Texas (sorry--can't remember which one) who was heading up this movement. I have rarely been so disturbed. There are a couple of "justifications" offered by people who support the abolition of birth citizenship. And yes, it is targeted at illegal immigrants. For one thing, it's a whole lot easier (in theory) to deport illegal immigrants if their kids aren't citizens. There have been instances, apparently, where pregnant women have crossed the border illegally just so that their children will be U.S. citizens...and so it's easier for them to stay in the country.
Anyway, this LA that I and a few of my classmates spoke with was all gung-ho about abolishing "natural birth citizenship." I was horrified. Does she have any idea what sort of paradigm shift this would be for our nation? Heaven knows it's not perfect, but I think we have some good things going on here. One of those things is the fact that if you are born in the U.S.A., you have the full rights and privileges of a citizen. Full stop. No further qualifications. It would be an unspeakable tragedy to take that away.
Rep. Lamar Smith was the one from Texas, although the real powerhouse seems to be Tancredo from Colorado. I was really hoping this would never get off the ground.
And here I was hoping that it was just something that some idiot had been mulling over at lunch with the wrong person. I suppose instances where women cross the border to have children would be a problem, but how often could that possibly happen? There's a serious cost/benefit calculation that needs to be done here. I really think that they're coming out on the wrong end.
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