Nathan Deal, Georgia Lawmaker and Republican Gubernatorial Candidate , Wants To End "Birthright Citizenship"

Here's a Southern politician hellbent on changing to intent of the Constitution to suit his views. U.S. Rep. Nathan Deal, a Republican candidate for governor of Georgia, has proposed changing the long-standing federal policy that automatically grants citizenship to any baby born on U.S. soil, a move opposed by immigrant rights advocates. The Constitution made provisions for this for reasons such as this. Automatic citizenship is enshrined in the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which says: "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." That provision, ratified in 1868, was drafted with freed slaves in mind. Deal and his supporters say the 14th Amendment wording was never meant to automatically give citizenship to babies born to illegal immigrants. So, which country do these children belong to? I agree that illegal immigration has become a real problem, but the children should not be made to suffer for what their parents have done. Go after the parents, not the children.

Supporters of Deal's proposal say "birthright citizenship" encourages illegal immigration and makes enforcement of immigration laws more difficult. I scarcely think his proposal would solve the problem of illegal immigration and I am sure that Congress would not vote to change the Constitution on these grounds.

Under Deal's proposal, babies born in the U.S. would automatically have citizenship only if at least one of their parents is a U.S. citizen or national, a legal permanent resident of the U.S., or actively serving in the U.S. military. This country has had a long tradition of welcoming immigrants and bestowing inalienable rights to those born here, regardless of the circumstances of their birth. Automatic citizenship should not be a pathway for the parents to qualify for a green card. That should be discouraged and should be the starting point to curbing illegal immigration. Supporters of this proposal call U.S.-born children of illegal immigrants "anchor babies" because, when they become adults, the children can sponsor their parents for legal permanent residency.

There are other ways to curb illegal immigration. Taking away the birthright of a child born here to illegal parents is certainly not a viable solution. For all those people who reside in Georgia, this is a prime example of how important it is to know the views and positions of those running for elected office. This man wants to become the next governor of the state of Georgia. This very bill he has proposed may make its way in some form, if he prevails and becomes the next governor, to his desk. We certainly don't want someone who doesn't care one iota about what happens to these children to be in a position to effect sweeping changes of any kind.