Could somebody send Tom Tancredo a copy of the Constitution?

[Walt Starr]

It seems he's trying to end the citizenship birthright for immigrants:

Posted on Wed, Dec. 07, 2005






Conservatives look at ending birthright citizenship for immigrants

By Jim Puzzanghera

Knight Ridder Newspapers



WASHINGTON - It's been a cornerstone of American law since shortly after the Civil War: Children born in the United States become citizens, even if their parents are here illegally.


Now some conservatives are taking aim at that birthright.


They call the U.S.-born children of illegal immigrants "anchor babies" because at age 18 the children can apply to bring other family members here from abroad, and a growing group of House Republicans wants to change the policy. They hope to add a provision to the immigration bill that the House of Representatives will consider next week that would deny citizenship to those children.


"They see people are coming here simply for the purpose of having a child here and then, because they're the anchor, they can have all the family come in on that child's ticket ... There are thousands upon thousands of people who are doing it," said Rep. Tom Tancredo, R-Colo., a leading opponent of illegal immigration. He cited "surprising" momentum behind the plan. A House bill to make the policy change has 77 co-sponsors.


<snip>

http://www.realcities.com/mld/krwashington/13352283.htm

Unfortunately for their little law and blatantly racist attempts, the citizenship birthright is ensconced in the 14th Amendment:

Amendment XIV

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. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

Of course, if they push through this law and it fails on its face since it blatantly violates the constitution, maybe they'll be able to start pushing for the repeal of the 14th amendment, or at least the first paragraph of the 14th amendment. Of course, doing that would also remove the protection under the Bill of Rights that is extended to the Several States by the 14th amendment.

So they'd get a twofer and States would be able to establish religion by virtue of their racist attempt here.

[gratuitous]

1. Oh right, like he's going to listen to the Constitution

Did you know that our original constitution was written by a bunch of foreigners? That's right! None of the original drafters of the constitution was born in the United States of America -- they were all born in English colonies. So Tancredo doesn't have to follow no constitution.

[ticapnews]

2. The Constitution is just a piece of paper

If you want guidance, read the Bible. It's an entire book full of ideas. Not just some shabby piece of paper.

And the Bible never mentions giving citizenship to people just because they were born in America, so Tancredo is clearly on safe ground here.

[Vogon_Glory]

3. Conservatives Not Above Constitutional Tampering

so-called "conservatives" like Tom Tancredo aren't above attempting to tamper with the US Constitution. Witness their now conveniently-forgotten amendment to require a balanced federal budget. Witness so-called "conservatives"' efforts to force trough a school prayer amendment. Witness so-called "conservatives" efforts to pass anti-abortion amendments. Despite the Bushwah emanating from GOP propaganda outlets and the corporate media, these right-wingers aren't conservatives--they're right-wing radicals.