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One Reporter's Opinion: 'Anchor Babies' Are Weighing Us Down George Putnam It is this reporter's opinion that it is time to take another look at the 14th Amendment to our Constitution, 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."
It includes that a child born in the U.S. is automatically by law considered to be an American citizen even if the parents are not. However, under a proposed CITIZEN REFORM ACT, no longer would citizenship be automatic.
It is estimated that over 300,000 illegal-alien women arrive pregnant each year and their children immediately qualify for citizenship. This means American taxpayers foot the bill for food, housing, medical expenses and education for these children – up to age 18 – in addition to paying for the mother, who is still considered an illegal alien. And their annual expense to taxpayers exceeds $109 billion.
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By far the largest cost to taxpayers for illegal aliens is in the public school education system. Example: The state of Georgia spent $231 million educating children whose parents were in the country illegally in the year 2002 alone. You'll be shocked to learn that all across the nation our classrooms are crowded with students who don't speak English, taught by teachers who also don't speak English. Because of this, everyone suffers – the teachers, the students born to illegal aliens, and the children of local taxpayers who are held back or drop out.
As things stand today, any child born within U.S. territory is an automatic citizen. These instant citizens are known as "anchor babies." We Americans are a compassionate people, but we've been stretched to the limit. It is now time our Congress rethink the 14th Amendment, bring these policies up to date as they apply to the problems America is facing today and consider removing the "automatic" part of being born a citizen.
Let's look at the amendment's language. It reads: "All persons born or naturalized in the United States are citizens of the United States." It does not mean "All persons whose parents first vowed fealty to the USA are citizens." It says all people born here are citizens. It plainly means that "jurisdiction" simply means within the confines therein and is not used in any other way.
Many countries in Europe are refusing full citizenship to their own immigrant population. They realize they are being "balkanized," exemplified by the growing riots across Europe. Why can't we do the same?
Let's face it, if we have a border problem, we need to address the problem head on and not try to go around the back door. Being considered a citizen of the U.S. upon birth should remain sacrosanct.
Our problem with immigration, and especially as it affects our national security, cannot be ignored. And the costs of illegals availing themselves of our generous social programs is a huge problem. The illegal-immigration issue is important for us to deal with, and deal with it we must – quickly! Aside from the invasion of our nation and the violation of our sovereignty, we've got to consider the real possibility of terrorism within our borders.
We need to put a stop to the practice of illegal aliens bringing in "anchor babies." Other countries are doing it. Why should we continue to provide foreign incubators for American citizenship? We American citizens implore Congress to take another look at and update the 14th Amendment and the automatic citizenship given to these "anchor babies." It would be for the good of everyone involved.
Editor's note:
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