Shane Tuttle
Staff
I have a gentleman's bet with a fellow coworker. The argument was even though you're born in America, doesn't necessarily guarantee citizenship.
The debate was sparked during the discussion of an aquaintance stated he was born in San Diego. Served his country. Contributed to society. However, he stated that his mother was NOT a citizen at the time of his birth. We put two and two together and eventually got the gumption to ask for clarification. Our assumption was confirmed. His mother crossed the border illegally from Mexico to San Diego in order for him to be born in America.
Amendment XIV, Section 1 comes to mind...
AMENDMENT XIV
Passed by Congress June 13, 1866. Ratified July 9, 1868.
Note: Article I, section 2, of the Constitution was modified by section 2 of the 14th amendment.
Section 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.
For disclaimer, I cut and pasted from this link:
http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution_amendments_11-27.html
So, what's everybody's take on this? I want to get some input before I disclose my position...
The debate was sparked during the discussion of an aquaintance stated he was born in San Diego. Served his country. Contributed to society. However, he stated that his mother was NOT a citizen at the time of his birth. We put two and two together and eventually got the gumption to ask for clarification. Our assumption was confirmed. His mother crossed the border illegally from Mexico to San Diego in order for him to be born in America.
Amendment XIV, Section 1 comes to mind...
AMENDMENT XIV
Passed by Congress June 13, 1866. Ratified July 9, 1868.
Note: Article I, section 2, of the Constitution was modified by section 2 of the 14th amendment.
Section 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.
For disclaimer, I cut and pasted from this link:
http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution_amendments_11-27.html
So, what's everybody's take on this? I want to get some input before I disclose my position...