Do you think children born here from illegal immigrants should be automatic citizens with all the benefits?

Question

Why or why not?

Answer 1

If you are born in the United States you are a citizen. It would take a constitutional amendment for that to change.

Answer 2

That, admittedly, is a very debatable point. The law stating that a child born in theUS was a citizen, period, was enacted to resolve some sticky issues. And, generally, works well.

But--while the question is valid, the "issue" of native-born children of illegal immigrants is really jsut one of the slew of so-called "problems" the right-wing bigots keep throwing up to try to prevent immigration reform. Why? because if the system gets fixed, the "problem" of these children simply goes away.

And--while you are thinking about that, think also about this: 13 years ago, the problem of illegal immigrants was relatively small. For 12 of those years--6 under Bush--the conservatives had the power to see to it existing laws were enforced. They did nothing. They had the power to reform the system. They did nothing. This year, they blocked a BIPARTICSAN effort to refomr the system. They only thing they have actually done--other than badmouth illegals--is pass that silly authorization for a "wall"--but even that is nothing but a rhetorical ploy--they never funded it.

So ask yourself: are these neocons who continually harp about "illegals" serious? I f you go by their ACTIONS the answer is a resounding NO. But the rhetoric has a purpose--if you go by the effects of current policy: hundreds of thousands of businesses (and look at a map--MOST of those are in Red States; guess who owns thsoe budinesses?) are making a great deal of money off of labor that is not subject to legal oversight. They DON'T want the laws enforced--or the system fixed. And they are solid contributors to the right-wing politicians. The anti-immigrant propaganda isn't becasue they don't want the immigrants--itis because they can use the tactics of inflaming racism and hatred to block reform--and so maintain a highly profitable "status quo."

If ou doubt this, THINK" other than the yapping about "deporting all illegals" which is simply silly--there's no way to do it--what changes or reforms have ANY of these loudmouths suggested? That's right--none. Not one.

Answer 3

Finally a question with no bias one way or the other. An excellent question as well, as there could be compelling arguments made on both sides of the issue.

PRO: Being born in this country makes you a citizen. Simple as that. No other considerations are allowed in the law. People born here are citizens.

CON: SHOULD they be if the reason they were born here is the result of a crime (i.e, illegal immigration)? Allowing this is just one more reason to come into the country illegally and have a child as quickly as possible, so that, as the parents of an American citizen, they cannot be deported at that point either. You also have to remember, if the parents are deported back to Mexico (for example), that child is NOT a Mexican citizen and Mexico is well within their rights to deny that child entry into their country. So now this baby is a baby without a country at all, legally considered "persona non grata" by both the US AND Mexico.

Personally, I would have to say the kid needs to legally be considered the same nationality as the parents. The child should not, under US law, be able to profit from his or her parents' crime. If you've ever heard of the "Son of Sam" law, it basically states a person should not be able to profit from his or her crime. It's called the "Son of Sam" law because, like OJs book, "If I Did It", David Berkowitz entered into negotiations to write his story for BIG bucks. The families of his victims protested and the law was passed, and Berkowitz's plans to write his book died a very public death. Allowing "anchor children" to remain in the country defeats the aim of this law.

Answer 4

The law states that everyone born in America is an American. Regardless, of their parent's legal status the child is a citizen of this country. You are talking about Americans here, remember that. This is one of the main things that is difficult about illegal immigration: what do we do with the children? Do we kick out of our own citizens because of their parents? Or do we deport the parents but the child stays? Frankly, I hate the nanny state government. There are many U.S. citizens who take entitlements from the government. That is wrong, illegals with children born here are contributing to the problem. This is why the nanny big government state is bad.

Answer 5

Currently the law says that anyone born in America is automatically an American citizen.

I think that law should be changed to; "Anyone born in America is automatically an American citizen unless the parent(s) are here illegally. In such a case the parent(s) along with the child will be deported at the convenience of the Government.

Answer 6

No. Until that is fixed we need to change how we deal with people that are here illegally with a citizen child. Just because we can not deport the child (as a citizen of the US) does not mean we can not deport the illegal parents. "You can take the child with you or leave it here with a citizen, it's up to you".

Automatic citizenship is one of many reasons illegal immigrants come to the US. Once the baby is born they know they are good for 18 years.

Answer 7

Perhaps citizenship, yet they have an illegal immigrant parent...their parent should be deported, and they would have to go with them, this makes the most sense...yet it is not so.That's why many people keep having babies when they're already unable to provide for them...to stay in the country or to have us fund their living expenses...I do not have children, my fiance and I cannot afford them...why should my tax dollars go to welfare programs being abused by the continuous births by citizen or non-citizen parents in the USA? Keep your legs shut, please...until you have the money in the bank to raise a kid, anyway.

Answer 8

No, it encourages immigrants to come here illegally and have children. Then, the children can become citizens and help obtain citizenships for their parents. INJUSTICE

Answer 9

No I do not... I now it is the law.. but the problem is, people are using it as a way of getting themselves into the country.

if it were up to me.. any child born of illegal parent would be considered illegal.

I have to work damn hard to raise my own children.. I do not want to raise theirs too.

Answer 10

anchor babies should be illegal,
there are honest people on the waiting list to get into the USA.
Why allow dishonest people to be rewarded