Does the Constitution of the United States apply only to legal citizens of that country, or to anyone who happens to be in the country at the time?
2007-08-07 04:44:58 · 10 answers · asked by norcalislam 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Immigration
have you seen on TV where the 3 border patrol are in jail for doing there job, keeping ppl from crossing with out a real visa? where are there rights?
thy are in jail for doing there job,.protecting our country,
2007-08-07 06:32:28 · answer #1 · answered by fatima_feb25 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Some portions of the Constitution and the laws of the land apply to everyone who is in the country. Some portions do not.
Some rights privileges and obligations are for citizens only. Some are available to born here citizens, some to naturalized citizens. Tourists and Business visitors have certain rights, privileges and obligations very similar to those who reside here. Many more similarities than differences.
For example, except for the very first Presidents of USA, you have to be a born here citizen to qualify for the job.
Suppose you are accused of having entered the nation illegally. The border patrol then has the obligation to remove you from the nation as expeditely and economically as practical.
Suppose you are innocent of this accusation. Your recourse under the Constitution might not be so good as if the false charge was that you murdered someone.
On an episode of the TV series "Law & Order", one of the DA people said "The law says that it is illegal to kill people. It does not say that it is illegal to kill nice people." and this was where someone had been very bad, and a surviving victim killed in revenge.
If an illegal is killed, it is the same as if a legal got killed, the crime is the same. Although witnesses may be hard to come by, if illegals together, may expect to be deported if come forwards.
2007-08-07 13:48:13 · answer #2 · answered by Al Mac Wheel 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
United States citizens.
2007-08-08 20:54:38 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
We in this great country have largely a negative constitution. In other words, it says exactly what the government can NOT do. The Bill of Rights does not say that "All citizens/all people have the freedom of speech." Instead it says that Congress shall not make any laws that limit freedom of speech, religion, etc.
The Constitution then applies to the U.S. Federal Government (and as a result of amendments and court decisions- also State and local governments). It does not apply to any individuals in the sense of laws or statutes usually do. In general, if Congress cannot pass a law limiting the freedom of speech that would mean limiting anyone's speech in the U.S.A. However, once again, the Constitution does not apply in any sense to citizens. As a private citizen, I can brake the law but I cannot violate the constitution.
2007-08-07 11:49:49 · answer #4 · answered by C.S. 5 · 3⤊ 2⤋
To legal citizens of the country only. The only part that applies to any other is the basic human rights. Which means they shall be treated fairly, and not be abused on their way out while being deported. They have no other rights.
2007-08-07 14:35:39 · answer #5 · answered by StoneCold 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The Constitution clearly states in the first line : "We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."
It does not apply to non citizens-those here illegally or those who seek to end this country (terrorists). It is a document that if read by more - is very clear in its intent to create a safe country that unites its people as one. It is not about dividing ourselves but holding the citizens of this country to a higher standard. If a person wants to live here and enjoy the benefits and protections of this country then they should become a citizen and if they do not then they should leave and not expect the laws of this land to provide them any harbor.
2007-08-07 11:56:52 · answer #6 · answered by Walking on Sunshine 7 · 2⤊ 3⤋
MOST of the Bill of Rights applies to everyone in the USA. Other than that, only citizens or sometimes legal residents.
2007-08-07 11:56:56 · answer #7 · answered by LIGER20498 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
The Constitution protects the citizens of the USA. There are other laws that protects non-citizens to our laws.
2007-08-07 11:54:00 · answer #8 · answered by Angie 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋
US citizens only.
2007-08-07 11:47:18 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 4⤋
people that are LEGAL american citizens and pay their taxes and do everything they are supposed to do with the gov.
2007-08-07 11:53:33 · answer #10 · answered by Michele 2 · 2⤊ 5⤋