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Should we encourage pregnancies directed toward U.S. citizenship?
Saturday, July 5, 2008 6:11 AM PDT
When air travel resumed several months after 9/11, my Guatemalan-born nephew and a group of his classmates traveled to England as part of an exchange program.
When the young men arrived in Miami, customs officers asked passengers with U.S. passports to form one line and told those holding Central American passports to go to another.
Customs waived the U.S. citizens through with minimal delay while subjecting the rest to lengthy checks and inspections.
Preferential treatment at international airports is but one small example of American citizenship's value.
How it comes to pass that my 10 Guatemalan nephews and nieces, all born on foreign soil, are American citizens with U.S. passports is our Independence Day weekend civics lesson.
Guided by one of two principles used at birth to grant automatic American nationality, my foreign-born family qualifies under jus sanguinis (right of blood).
To meet that requirement, one parent must be an American citizen. Jus sanguinis is a relatively non-controversial practice that covers military, diplomatic and business travelers whose children are born while they are on assignment.
But the other method of automatically conferring citizenship is hotly debated.
Under jus soli, American citizenship is granted simply by virtue of being born in the United States.
When a pregnant woman happens to coincidentally be in the U.S. — say, on a vacation to Disneyland — and delivers prematurely, her child becomes an American citizen with all of its privileges and benefits.
If jus soli children were limited to the occasional incident that results from life's unforeseen events, their numbers would be inconsequential.
But American rights are so priceless that getting into the U.S. for the express purpose of having children is a goal in itself. In some cases, the fraud perpetrated is shocking.
Several years ago, the Los Angeles Times revealed that Korean travel agencies had put together special packages for pregnant women — cynically called "obstetric tourists" because they arrived on tourist visas — to come to California, have their babies and then be transferred to special Korean owned and operated post-natal facilities.
As is often the case, the Korean scam was legal but inconsistent with the spirit of American citizenship. Soon after being born, the infants return to Korea and rely on their American citizen status later in life when and if it is beneficial.
Jus soli is more commonly abused when alien women sneak into the U.S. to deliver their babies or to become pregnant. According to estimates, 500,000 such anchor babies are born annually.
Giving alien children citizenship is widely criticized as representing one of the major lures that generate more illegal immigration.
But although the debate about how to end illegal immigration often includes eliminating jus soli, little headway has been made.
Ending birthright citizenship — and by extension reducing illegal immigration — could come about in two ways:
• A favorable Supreme Court review of the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution that governs the birthright citizenship.
Originally intended to ensure that recently freed Civil War slaves became citizens, the Fourteenth Amendment includes this key passage: "All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States … "
Many legal scholars agree that aliens are clearly not "subject to the jurisdiction" of the U.S., but rather to that of their home countries. Analysts' interpretation is that the phrase's meaning is the same as "not subject to any foreign power," which, again, aliens are.
• A Congressional law that ends the decades old jus soli policy that rewards parents who have entered or stayed in the U.S. in violation of immigration laws.
H.R. 1940 (the Birthright Citizenship Act of 2007) would limit citizenship to the children of (1) U.S., citizens or nationals; (2) lawful permanent resident aliens residing in the United States; and (3) aliens performing active service in the armed forces.
Although the bill currently has more than 200 co-sponsors, Democratic Congressional leadership has prevented it from coming to a vote.
Conferring citizen status on illegal alien children is flawed and harmful to our national unity.
Since the lobby to maintain jus soli would be mostly illegal immigrants ineligible to vote, I'm surprised it still exists.
Joe Guzzardi is an instructor at the Lincoln Technical Academy. Reach him at guzzjoe@yahoo.com.
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Leonard wrote on Jul 17, 2008 4:53 AM:
" Leonard, I know that it is off topic, but I wanted to know how you explain the drop in oil prices when Bush announced his removal of the executive order banning offshore drilling? You said that increasing supply would not change the price of oil.
Oil dropped because 3 different reports came out saying the economy was in a downspin. At the same time, the Feds released a revision on a previous stock report that indicated that there was more oil stock on hand than had been previously reported.
Bush only removed the ban that had been issued by Executive Order so the actual laws against that type of exploration are still in place. "
falcon wrote on Jul 16, 2008 8:23 PM:
Lodian wrote on Jul 15, 2008 11:27 AM:
Lodian wrote on Jul 14, 2008 1:21 PM:
Brian: You do realize the more you speak of your sorted sex life the more you show how little you receive? Right, Brian? All talk and no play. Right, Brian? Oh...you're just too much. "
Lodian wrote on Jul 14, 2008 1:19 PM:
Brian: You do like to include others in your posts ("our fault"), don't you Brian. You can't stand alone on your own two feet if your life depended on it. Sad little man. Where's your better half today, Brian? "
Lodian wrote on Jul 14, 2008 1:16 PM:
" Lodian, I probably know a lot more about Lodi than you do. "
Well, my dad can beat up your dad! LOL "
Lodian wrote on Jul 14, 2008 1:15 PM:
Lodian wrote on Jul 14, 2008 1:09 PM:
Lodian wrote on Jul 14, 2008 1:08 PM:
Lodian wrote on Jul 14, 2008 1:07 PM:
Giovanina wrote on Jul 14, 2008 12:53 PM:
Giovanina wrote on Jul 14, 2008 12:52 PM:
" Now that Giovanino is claiming that he is not Nicaraguan I think it is fair to ask the following question.
Does anyone know the actual name of the country that deported this individual to the US? "
She has a better question: Which country threw out your family, should be a good place to live, now. Oh that's right, you are from Russia, comrade Lenin. Which city? "
Brian wrote on Jul 13, 2008 5:13 PM:
Brian wrote on Jul 13, 2008 5:02 PM:
" Brian: Please spare us more talk of your sex life. We have all had just about enough of it at this point. "
Lodian, Yes I am entitled to post on this blog as much as I want. I've never posted under a different handle.
And as far as fornication goes. Danielh
introduced that on this blog.
If you can't handle hearing someone speak of their sex life because you haven't had a piece lately that's not our fault. "
Lodian wrote on Jul 13, 2008 4:57 PM:
YOU D**KHEAD!!"
Brian: Do you really think that you are one to speak on whom is an embarrassment or not? Really? "
Lodian wrote on Jul 13, 2008 4:52 PM:
Lodian wrote on Jul 13, 2008 4:51 PM:
Brian wrote on Jul 13, 2008 2:53 PM:
" I see that Brian poked his head in just for a moment. LOL "
Lodian, you give the term "Lodian" a bad name. You should consider changing your handle, OR, better yet, changing your attitude on these blogs altogether. "
Brian wrote on Jul 13, 2008 2:48 PM:
" Brian, if we except Gionavino's usage, wouldn't that mean that you are also a Califonicator? "
Leonard, I am one of those many people who had sex before I got married. And the majority of those times was when I lived in Calif.
I doubt if you never had sex before you got married in Calif. "
Leonard wrote on Jul 13, 2008 12:34 PM:
Leonard wrote on Jul 13, 2008 10:48 AM:
Leonard wrote on Jul 13, 2008 10:47 AM:
Does anyone know the actual name of the country that deported this individual to the US? "
Lodian wrote on Jul 12, 2008 11:48 PM:
Brian wrote on Jul 12, 2008 8:29 PM:
" Giovanina wrote on Jul 9, 2008 8:59 AM:
you are a Californicator
My, that is very clever. Did you think of it all by yourself? "
Leonard, Actually the Red Hot Chili Peppers used "Californication" as a title for their song. It is also quite clever
for Giovanina to use it in the this manner. "
Lodian wrote on Jul 12, 2008 6:12 PM:
Leonard wrote on Jul 12, 2008 12:54 PM:
leonard wrote on Jul 12, 2008 12:50 PM:
" Leonard- You haven't been in Texas long enough to know better. They don't realize your political persuasion.
Have you ever lived in Texas? "
Giovanina wrote on Jul 12, 2008 9:52 AM:
Giovanina wrote on Jul 12, 2008 9:51 AM:
Giovanina wrote on Jul 12, 2008 9:49 AM:
Bob Slob- stick to the topic and stop the delusions. If you don't have any point on the issue, then shut up and what for an article on bashing women, then you can do your woman bashing comments.
Oh and Bob, under Federal law citizenship can be revoked even on a natural born citizen. Try actually reading the documents. "
Lodian wrote on Jul 12, 2008 2:15 AM:
T&c wrote on Jul 11, 2008 9:20 PM:
Leonard wrote on Jul 11, 2008 8:29 PM:
" Leonard-I forgot to tell you that, although Austin is liberal, the rest of Texas hates Socialists.
Actually, I have found Texans in general to be very friendly. "
Leonard wrote on Jul 11, 2008 8:28 PM:
" Leonard-I forgot to tell you that, although Austin is liberal, the rest of Texas hates Socialists.
Giovanino's definition of a socialist: anyone who disagrees with Giovanino
I got a good laugh the other day when she decided that Girard was actually a closet commie. "
Leonard wrote on Jul 11, 2008 8:24 PM:
" Giovanina's Geritol must have kicked in. She sure is a spunky kook today. "
Don't you mean he? "
Bob Loblaw wrote on Jul 11, 2008 6:08 PM:
OTH wrote on Jul 11, 2008 5:49 PM:
Giovanina wrote on Jul 11, 2008 2:25 PM:
" Disquised as a woman??? Why am I the last to know these things educated reader? Boy I am going to have to do some big changes in my life, but on second thought, it sounds like edumacation talking so I will take it as a comic remark by you. "
LOL. I have no need or time to bother with creating several usernames or disguising my gender. That is just another tangent for Uneducated Reader to go on, to make himself feel smart. Or were you going to start trashing the women on the comment section? Which is it Uneducated Reader? "
Giovanina wrote on Jul 11, 2008 2:19 PM:
Giovanina wrote on Jul 11, 2008 2:17 PM:
And "Yeahman," please state the authority from which you speak. What facts (accurate sources) show that these people are collecting all sorts of freebies? That is, other than your uneducated opinion and/or what your "authoritative" sources have told you? "
Uneducated Reader- You must not read as there are a lot of studies that prove this including an accountability report by GAO.
Another report just came out showing the illegal benefits for May 2008 in L.A. County. But you could ask any local social worker or taxperson what kinds of freebies they get, they all know the loopholes. Any person who has lived in an urban area could tell you a lot more.
Do you actually get out of your house, or READ? It is 2008, you know. "
Giovanina wrote on Jul 11, 2008 2:11 PM:
" Giovanina wrote on Jul 9, 2008 8:59 AM:
you are a Californicator
My, that is very clever. Did you think of it all by yourself? "
Chucke... That is the term they have been using for years, outside of California. You answer shows how limited you really are. hahahahah "
Giovanina wrote on Jul 11, 2008 2:08 PM:
Giovanina wrote on Jul 11, 2008 2:04 PM:
My source:
Senator Jacob Howard, the author of the clause, said "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".
Got that uneducated reader. "
Giovanina wrote on Jul 11, 2008 2:04 PM:
"Giovanina" (a misnomer if ever there was one - you are obviously disguising yourself as a female and also claiming to be from several different locations - none of them in Lodi):
I am not disguising anything, I don't need too. Where have I said anything for you to make such claims? You are that stupid aren't you. "
T & C wrote on Jul 11, 2008 1:24 PM:
T & C wrote on Jul 11, 2008 1:20 PM:
marzo2008 wrote on Jul 11, 2008 12:41 PM:
Your right!!! keeping writing in. They have no power over you or anyone. Just like that game they are playing for the white house. it should have been a Woman in office. Those guys(boys) left to see which one will lead the country are a joke. we will be in the same shape as we are now. The only true fix would be if we had hilary in office to take care of things. no more games and lies. get those good old boys out of the house. "
tom carlson wrote on Jul 11, 2008 7:07 AM:
educated reader wrote on Jul 11, 2008 12:34 AM:
T&C and "Giovanina" (a misnomer if ever there was one - you are obviously disguising yourself as a female and also claiming to be from several different locations - none of them in Lodi): You two are spouting complete falsehoods about US law regarding children born in the US and their parents who may or may not be here legally. Giovanina's "opinion" about the intent of the 14th Amendment is also garbage. And, even FOX News has reported that polls indicate that a majority of LEGAL immigrants (read, "Hispanics," are anti-illegal immigration. You two are completely ignorant and want to engage in the politics of fear rather than the facts.
And "Yeahman," please state the authority from which you speak. What facts (accurate sources) show that these people are collecting all sorts of freebies? That is, other than your uneducated opinion and/or what your "authoritative" sources have told you? "
T & C wrote on Jul 10, 2008 2:56 PM:
Leonard wrote on Jul 10, 2008 10:41 AM:
Then when you finally get the point shoved back it your face, you want to drop. Sorry, it won't be dropped
Oh, I'm fine with continuing. You misunderstood. I was simply looking out for your welfare. No matter how dull or distasteful I may find you personally, I have no desire to see you deported.
If you insist, however, I will continue.
Have you ever been affiliated with the Contra movement? "
T & C wrote on Jul 10, 2008 9:31 AM:
Giovanina wrote on Jul 10, 2008 8:00 AM:
Giovanina wrote on Jul 10, 2008 8:00 AM:
" Giovanina wrote on Jul 9, 2008 9:06 AM:
" Chuckle back.. you really are that lost? Wow, I am sure that everyone who reads my comment knows that I am NOT from Nicaragua. I have never been South of the border.
Given the current anti immigrant hysteria, I understand your posturing.
We will just let it go. "
Wow, you really are losing it. I never said that I was anti-immigrant, you did. The only thing I have ever said is that all illegal aliens need to be deported. It would be hard for an immigrant, k-1, to be anti-immigrant, then I would be anti-myself. "
OTH wrote on Jul 9, 2008 7:31 PM:
Your question is offensive. Why does Leonard have to answer to you as to whether or not he is a citizen? Leonard has been on these blogs since day one. "
T & C wrote on Jul 9, 2008 2:31 PM:
Leonard wrote on Jul 9, 2008 10:41 AM:
Born and bred in Lodi. "
papercut wrote on Jul 9, 2008 9:59 AM:
papercut wrote on Jul 9, 2008 9:57 AM:
Bob Hussein Loblaw wrote on Jul 9, 2008 9:54 AM:
Leonard wrote on Jul 9, 2008 9:07 AM:
" Chuckle back.. you really are that lost? Wow, I am sure that everyone who reads my comment knows that I am NOT from Nicaragua. I have never been South of the border.
Given the current anti immigrant hysteria, I understand your posturing.
We will just let it go. "
Leonard wrote on Jul 9, 2008 9:06 AM:
you are a Californicator
My, that is very clever. Did you think of it all by yourself? "
Giovanina wrote on Jul 9, 2008 9:06 AM:
It is really hard for me to believe that you really were confused, maybe you better retire. "
Giovanina wrote on Jul 9, 2008 8:59 AM:
" I don't know, I may be a little conservative for the folks here in Austin.
Politically, you are the same. Geographically, you are a Californicator. "
Leonard wrote on Jul 9, 2008 8:59 AM:
Giovanina wrote on Jul 9, 2008 8:57 AM:
I think intelligent people can figure out that answer by my other comments.
Apparently, you can't find the answer. Maybe you should stay away from crossword puzzles too. "
Giovanina wrote on Jul 9, 2008 8:52 AM:
" Leonard, you will keep her busy all day with that one. "
Probably took you all day just to think of the above sentnce, which added nothing to the debate. "
Leonard wrote on Jul 9, 2008 8:51 AM:
So, are you saying that you were not affiliated with the Contra movement? "
Giovanina wrote on Jul 9, 2008 8:47 AM:
Are the Texans tired of their newly planted Californicator yet? I am sure they will let you know. Make sure to show them your ISO card. "
Bob Hussein Loblaw wrote on Jul 8, 2008 1:44 PM:
Leonard wrote on Jul 8, 2008 11:58 AM:
Giovanina wrote on Jul 8, 2008 9:47 AM:
" T & C, then why don't you march on down to city hall and demand they and their loyal police and code enforcement team actually use the tools presently on the books and enacted by themselves and the federal government to enforce these laws rather than turn their heads the other way? You think the gob's want to lose their cheap labor pool? "
Lodi police will take an unlicensed driver's car but will not take illegal aliens/terrorists in unless they are arrested for another type of violation. This means the illegal aliens and terrorists have free reign in Lodi. This is de facto sanctuary policy. "
Giovanina wrote on Jul 8, 2008 9:44 AM:
" Hi Giovanina: The sad fact is during all of these "Immigration rallies "DEMANDING" immediate citizenship to illegals I have NEVER ONCE seen a march, rally or hispanic spokesperson stating they were "OUTRAGED" at illegals wanting immediately what they fought so hard to obtain...
Sorry you didn't see my comment:
Giovanina wrote on Jul 7, 2008 11:43 AM:
" & C wrote on Jul 7, 2008 8:53 AM:
" If I was a hispanic immigrant who fought hard to "EARN MY CITIZENSHIP"; I would be outraged that other's are just crawling across the border like roaches, squatting, and making America their 2nd home, while always waving the MEXICAN flag durin immigration rallies!
Actually I know many that are POed over this. Some are in a group called You Don't Speak For Me! "
And I have rallied with this group before as one of their main members is in Sacramento, a legal immigrant from Nicaragua, and has been interviewed, in Spanish, by Univision. Of course, Univison didn't like it. "
edumacation wrote on Jul 7, 2008 11:25 PM:
Bob Hussein Loblaw wrote on Jul 7, 2008 8:24 PM:
girard74 wrote on Jul 7, 2008 8:13 PM:
Neither on this blog nor on the street do I have to accept that kind of attack from anyone. "
girard74 wrote on Jul 7, 2008 6:53 PM:
Neither on this blog nor on the street do I have to accept that kind of attack from anyone. "
Leonard wrote on Jul 7, 2008 6:50 PM:
Your insinuating that their lives were of less value than those is patently offensive to me
You are out of bounds.
I knew people who lost love ones on that day. I breathed the ashes of the burning buildings and I spent hours searching the streets for my own wife, fearing that she was dead.
Perhaps you ought to think before you open your mouth once in a while. Believe me when I say that you have no idea what you are talking about.
End of conversation. I will not dignify your repulsive thoughts by continuing on this blog. "
girard74 wrote on Jul 7, 2008 6:44 PM:
Those people slaughtered on 9/11 were no less innocent than the 6,000 million slaughtered in the holocaust. Your insinuating that their lives were of less value than those is patently offensive to me. A single life snuffed out at the hands of despots or terrorists is no less a tragedy than millions.
You've attempted to shine some sort of negative light upon me in this regard in the past, Leonard. I suggest that you not be so disingenuous. "
Leonard wrote on Jul 7, 2008 6:27 PM:
" By the way, 'my' people were slaughtered - on September 11, 2001.
Ummm.... I was in NYC on 9/11, I knew people who lost friends and family but I have to say that to compare the murder of 3,000 people to the genocide of 6 MILLION people is patently offensive. "
girard74 wrote on Jul 7, 2008 5:04 PM:
Oh sure, give everyone a free college education. And who gets to pay for that? Heres another far-left entitlement-driven citizen who believes that the government is responsible for our every little thing. I need my auto insurance and rent taken care of - where do I pick up my check? And what else can I expect from my government? "
papercut wrote on Jul 7, 2008 2:12 PM:
girard74 wrote on Jul 7, 2008 12:25 PM:
Oh sure, give everyone a free college education. And who gets to pay for that? Heres another far-left entitlement-driven citizen who believes that the government is responsible for our every little thing. I need my auto insurance and rent taken care of - where do I pick up my check? And what else can I expect from my government? "
T & C wrote on Jul 7, 2008 12:19 PM:
" Hey T & C like it or not, illegals are here to stay!!!
Let me get this straight Marrzo2008! Your position is release all illegals from prison, Give them all Social security Numbers, Don't fine a single one of them, hell, if they are going to be full fledged citizens I suppose you'll say it still is okay for them to live in vehicles, sheds, and 10 to a garage right? You way of thinking is, why not just give them $10,000.00 grants so they can really feel at home! "
T & C wrote on Jul 7, 2008 12:15 PM:
T & C wrote on Jul 7, 2008 12:12 PM:
MARZO2008 wrote on Jul 7, 2008 12:07 PM:
like it or not, illegals are here to stay!!! If they are giving illegals free college education that's great. It should be given to everyone as well. Oh, there is no such things as "MY People". We are all humans, Brothers and Sisters. If you can't live with that "that's your problem!!! If anything you should be helping doing something and quit wasting our time talking about the negative of our society. "
Giovanina wrote on Jul 7, 2008 11:44 AM:
Giovanina wrote on Jul 7, 2008 11:43 AM:
" If I was a hispanic immigrant who fought hard to "EARN MY CITIZENSHIP"; I would be outraged that other's are just crawling across the border like roaches, squatting, and making America their 2nd home, while always waving the MEXICAN flag durin immigration rallies!
Actually I know many that are POed over this. Some are in a group called You Don't Speak For Me! "
Giovanina wrote on Jul 7, 2008 11:41 AM:
We are very tired of your implications that those who want the laws followed, are some way connected to Nazism. Which is a really stupid connection. "
girard74 wrote on Jul 7, 2008 11:08 AM:
T & C wrote on Jul 7, 2008 10:54 AM:
T & C wrote on Jul 7, 2008 10:51 AM:
T & C wrote on Jul 7, 2008 10:49 AM:
girard74 wrote on Jul 7, 2008 10:20 AM:
girard74 wrote on Jul 7, 2008 10:18 AM:
What's wrong with you man? "
Ivan Dixon wrote on Jul 7, 2008 10:09 AM:
If it were your people who were slaughtered by the T&Cs wouldn't you feel the same way? "
girard74 wrote on Jul 7, 2008 9:33 AM:
You should at least try to control that temper of yours. This type of name-calling accompanied by your apparent anger will contribute greatly to your undoing. No one here is obligated to answer any question posed by anyone - your insistence that another must somehow lack courage because he ignores what he perceives to be an irrelevant question is rather arrogant, don't you think? I certainly think so. "
Ivan Dixon wrote on Jul 7, 2008 9:05 AM:
The German's refused to grant citizenship to Jews born in Germany because their parents, by German law, were not citizens.
You would do the exact same thing to a the American born child of non citizen Jews today, wouldn't you? "
T & C wrote on Jul 7, 2008 8:57 AM:
Ivan Dixon wrote on Jul 7, 2008 8:55 AM:
T & C wrote on Jul 7, 2008 8:53 AM:
Ivan Dixon wrote on Jul 7, 2008 8:50 AM:
T & C wrote on Jul 7, 2008 8:49 AM:
Ivan Dixon wrote on Jul 7, 2008 8:48 AM:
Do you think Germany should have given citizenship to the Jews that were born on German soil in the late 1930s? " "
T & C wrote on Jul 7, 2008 8:33 AM:
T & C wrote on Jul 7, 2008 8:28 AM:
Ivan Dixon wrote on Jul 7, 2008 8:25 AM:
T & C wrote on Jul 7, 2008 8:25 AM:
T & C wrote on Jul 7, 2008 8:19 AM:
Ivan Dixon wrote on Jul 7, 2008 8:17 AM:
The debate over the issue was largely made moot after 10 million of these non citizen resident aliens were burned in Germany's ovens. "
Bob Hussein Loblaw wrote on Jul 6, 2008 10:28 AM:
What if an illegal immigrant used a gun in his own house to defend his "jus soli" children from an intruder? There's a constitutional conundrum for ya. "
yeahman wrote on Jul 5, 2008 10:55 PM:
Carlos wrote on Jul 5, 2008 12:11 PM:
Comments on this story are now closed.