Matt Gaetz seeks to eliminate birthright citizenship to address immigration system ‘abuse’.
Rep. Matt Gaetz Introduces Bill to End Birthright Citizenship
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) has introduced a groundbreaking bill aimed at trump-says-hell-end-birthright-citizenship-for-illegal-immigrants-children-if-reelected-president/" title="Trump vows to end birthright citizenship for illegal immigrants’ kids if reelected.”>ending birthright citizenship in the United States. This legislation seeks to eliminate the incentive for illegal immigrants to travel across the border to have babies on U.S. soil.
The “End Birthright Citizenship Fraud Act”
The proposed bill, known as the “End Birthright Citizenship Fraud Act,” aims to amend the interpretation of the Fourteenth Amendment in the Immigration and Nationality Act. This amendment would align with what a growing number of conservatives believe to be its original intent.
Gaetz’s legislation specifically targets automatic citizenship granted to babies born in America to parents who are not U.S. nationals. However, it includes a provision that exempts non-citizens who were lawfully admitted as refugees, permanent residents, or those working with the military.
“Birthright citizenship has been grossly and blatantly misapplied for decades, recently becoming a loophole for illegal aliens to fraudulently abuse our immigration system,” stated Rep. Gaetz in a press release. “My legislation recognizes that American citizenship is a privilege — not an automatic right to be adopted by illegal aliens.”
Restoring the Original Intent
At the heart of Gaetz’s legislation is the interpretation of the “subject to the jurisdiction thereof” clause in the Fourteenth Amendment. The congressman argues that this clause must be returned to its original intent as envisioned by the amendment’s drafters.
The bill delves into the historical context of the clause, drawing connections to English common law and highlighting how citizenship has been understood in various legal systems, including Roman law. It also explores the clause’s significance throughout American history, from its proposal to its adoption.
Quoting former Sen. Jacob Howard, a key figure during the Reconstruction era and a leading advocate for the Fourteenth Amendment, Gaetz’s legislation emphasizes Howard’s statement that birthright citizenship would not apply to foreigners, aliens, or the families of ambassadors or foreign ministers accredited to the United States.
A Growing Conservative Position
Ending birthright citizenship has gained traction among conservatives, with prominent figures such as former President Donald Trump, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL), and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy expressing support for this policy change.
In fact, Trump pledged to sign an executive order on his first day in office to block federal agencies from allowing birthright citizenship as it is currently interpreted. DeSantis also announced his plan to end birthright citizenship, along with other immigration proposals aligned with Trump’s agenda.
Ramaswamy has criticized the current interpretation of birthright citizenship, describing it as an “abandonment of the rule of law” and highlighting the intentional exploitation of the system by immigrants seeking to establish an illegal presence in the United States.
Gaetz’s announcement of this legislation comes just before a scheduled hearing to question Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. It is worth noting that Gaetz previously cosponsored articles of impeachment against Mayorkas during the last Congress.
As the debate surrounding birthright citizenship continues, Rep. Gaetz’s bill represents a significant step towards reevaluating and potentially reforming this long-standing policy.
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