Jun 01 2008
WA GOP takes a controversial stance on Anchor Babies
One of the news items on Orbusmax was this:
State GOP: No automatic citizenship for kids born in U.S. to illegal immigrants
The state Republican Party adopted a platform Saturday that includes a provision aimed at opposing automatic citizenship for babies born in the U.S. to illegal immigrants.
This is not a new idea…
The state party approved a similar platform plank at its 2006 convention that proved controversial. The 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution recognizes citizenship for all persons born in the United States.
“Immigration is an issue that a lot of our party activists feel strongly about,” state Republican Party Chairman Luke Esser said. “And it’s certainly a very defensible position. It’s not at all something that’s based on race concerns. It’s a matter of what is citizenship going to be based on.”
And it is going to be just as controversial, and may continue to help the Democrats brand the Republicans as xenophobes and racists.
While it is a popular notion with the anti illegal immigration set, the fact is that there is not much congressional support for a Constitutional Amendment, which near as I can tell is what this would take.
Any legislation will immediately be challenged as being in violation of the 14th, and my personal belief is that the SCOTUS will uphold the conventional notion.
It is not to say the idea is without merit. While pro immigration groups scoff at the notion, the facts actually support the critics. it may hurt some peoples notions, but immigrants do sometimes come here pregnant hoping to deliver while on US soil so as to have the edge in immigration.
It is estimated that as many as 380,000 babies each year fall into this category, and may include not just illegals, but also tourists on a tourist visa (as opposed to a work visa).
The history of the 14th Amendment does support the critics to a degree:
In 1866, Senator Jacob Howard clearly spelled out the intent of the 14th Amendment by writing:
“Every person born within the limits of the United States, and subject to their jurisdiction, is by virtue of natural law and national law a citizen of the United States. This will not, of course, include persons born in the United States who are foreigners, aliens, who belong to the families of ambassadors or foreign ministers accredited to the Government of the United States, but will include every other class of persons. It settles the great question of citizenship and removes all doubt as to what persons are or are not citizens of the United States. This has long been a great desideratum in the jurisprudence and legislation of this country.”
I say “to a degree” because the history of many Constitutional provisions is open to interpretation, which is how we got Roe v Wade, and porn as protected free speech.
What I see here is an attempt to redefine the State’s agenda to adopt a more conservative stance. This may or may not be good, I won’t make a call.
But it is obvious that the other side will be more than happy to exploit it as they always have.
Time will tell whether this will help secure the State GOP’s platform, or it’s coffin.
Trackposted to Outside the Beltway, Rosemary’s Thoughts, 123beta, Right Truth, Big Dog’s Weblog, The Amboy Times, Cao’s Blog, Democrat=Socialist, Conservative Cat, Adeline and Hazel, Allie is Wired, third world county, Faultline USA, Woman Honor Thyself, McCain Blogs, The World According to Carl, Pirate’s Cove, Blue Star Chronicles, The Pink Flamingo, Gulf Coast Hurricane Tracker, Wolf Pangloss, , Dumb Ox Daily News, Stageleft, Right Voices, and The Yankee Sailor, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.
15 Responses to “WA GOP takes a controversial stance on Anchor Babies”
Leave a Reply
You can track future comments on this post via this RSS feed. You can trackback this post by pinging this URL.
Allowed HTML: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong>
rumor has it Michelle Obama let another one slip…
“Once again, the white man keeps us down, what’s up with Whitey, Why’d he attack Iraq, Why’d he let Katrina happen, Why’d he leave millions of children behind. This is the legacy the white man gives us”
……
DNC’s heavy handed tactics on a schoolteacher…
“The Party Elite Sucks!”
……
UPDATES ADDED: Jackass of the Week: Scott McClellan UPDATE: McAuliffe doesn’t like McClellan book, either UPDATE II: Trent Duffy: Scott McClellan lied…
My first reaction when hearing about McClellan’s book was what a backstabber, a turncoat, a Judas Iscariot! McClellan was happy to enjoy all the privileges and advantages of his White House gig. Bush had even invited McClellan to his Texas ranch…
RIP: Bo Diddley…
Bo (12/30/28 – 7/2/08) died of heart failure in his home inf Florida.Trackposted to McCain Blogs, DragonLady’s World, Maggie’s Notebook, Adam’s Blog, Pirate’s Cove, Leaning Straight Up, Democrat=Socia……
Hello Kitty Shoes For Me!…
I have brand new shoes! And OMG I love them to death! Aren’t they adorable?
……
Offroad Adventure…
We took a ride through the woods with a few friends of the hubby’s. It was enjoyable…until the baby got cranky.
……
Strawberry Delight…
I finally got my Momiji Doll. Isn’t she the cutest thing? Expect to see more of her!
……
ISRAEL AT 60 - Parade and Concert Highlight Birthday Bash…
ISRAEL AT 60 Parade and Concert Highlight Birthday Bash BY: FERN SIDMAN New York City’s fashionable Fifth Avenue was transformed in to a sea of blue and white as crystal clear blue skies, a searing sun, Israeli music and thousands……
Wednesday Hero: Master Sgt Brendan O’Connor…
There are many unsung heroes these days, and that is the shame this press will have to bear. As for us, we shall continue to bring you true Heroes each Wednesday. Trust me, there are way more than I bring to your attention. They are the heroes…
Hurricane Preparedness…
National Hurricane Preparedness Week was May 25th through May 31st, the week before hurricane season started in the Atlantic and Western Pacific. (Hurricane season actually starts mid May in the Eastern Pacific)….
The Un-Post Partisan Candidate…
Podcast Show Notes
The post-partisan mask comes off for Barack Obama. (Hat Tip: The Corner.)
The service Obama didn’t honor in a recent commencement address.
And why young Danes are leaving Denmark. (Hat Tip: No Speed Bumps.)
Click here to downl…
Did Obama Really Leave His Church?…
Please read carefully the transcribed announcement that was carried widely on the national news this weekend. Note how many words are devoted to why he is leaving and how many words praise the church he is leaving….
Bridgette Bardot Convicted for Critisizing Muslims…
Trackposted to Outside the Beltway, Rosemary’s Thoughts, Maggie’s Notebook, Adam’s Blog, Right Truth, Leaning Straight Up, Democrat=Socialist, Conservative Cat, The American Nationalist News Service, Pet’s Garden Blog, Faultline USA, third world co…
Defeating an Insurgency? Heck Yea…
Insurgents use and abuse the local population to hide them. How, you ask?…Oh..by that word the NY Times doesn’t want you to use: Terror.
……
NEWS ROUNDUP (4 JUNE 2008)…
The biggest news of the day is the wait for the elusive video of Michelle Obama spewing hate for America and that damned old whitey.
Free Republic has set up the "Obamabombshell LIVE thread.
Some possible leaked details as to its content.
It so…