An article in the Washington Times says House Republicans are looking closely at ending birthright citizenship and building a barrier along the entire U.S.-Mexico border as they search for solutions to illegal immigration.
It’s nice to see the Republicans finally stepping up to this challenge. First, by eliminating the policy of “anchor babies” (babies born to illegals who obtain automatic U.S. citizenship), it will reduce the incentive to sneak over the border to give birth. This in turn will reduce the free healthcare handed out to the illegals for such birth and any aftercare.
Most lawmakers had avoided the issue, fearing that change would require a constitutional amendment — the 14th Amendment reads in part: “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States.”
But several Republicans said recent studies suggest otherwise.
“There’s been recent scholarship that says we can do it by statute, and we ought to try,” said Rep. Jeff Flake, Arizona Republican, who usually finds himself on the opposite side of immigration issues from Mr. Tancredo.
“How in the world can you explain that’s a good policy to have? It simply doesn’t promote respect for the rule of law,” Mr. Flake said.
Rep. John Shadegg, the Arizona Republican who runs the dinners, said they are reaching some areas of consensus, though he would not specify and said committee chairmen would have to write the eventual bill.
But he said the effort has convinced the White House to do more to enforce the borders — something he said was reflected both in President Bush’s remarks upon signing the homeland security spending bill and in congressional testimony by the Homeland Security secretary.
Good. ’bout damn time.
