Published by Chris Chmielenski
Reps. Robert Alderholt (R-Ala.), Jeb Hensarling (R-Texas), Wally Herger (R-Calif.), and Buck McKeon (R-Calif.) have cosponsored the Birthright Citizenship Act of 2011 introduced by Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa). The bill currently has 77 co-sponsors and amends current U.S. code to require at least one parent to be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident for a new born to receive automatic citizenship.
The Fourteenth Amendment extends citizenship to all persons born
in the U.S. and “subject to the jurisdiction”; it also grants Congress
the power to enforce and define the provisions of the amendment.
Since
the Civil Rights Act of 1866, Congress has defined Birthright
Citizenship through appropriate legislation, which for decades has
granted citizenship to newborns with both parents illegal aliens,
foreign tourists or temporary foreign workers and students. The
Fourteenth Amendment gives Congress the right to define birthright
citizenship differently.
The Birthright Citizenship Act of 2011 would
add to the existing federal code a provision that requires at least one
parent of a new born to be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident in
order for the new born to receive automatic citizenship.
The United States is one of two industrialized nations (Canada) to offer Birthright Citizenship.
Rep. Aderholt represents Alabama’s 4th Congressional District. He is serving his 8th term in Congress and has earned a career A grade.
Rep. Hensarling represents Texas’ 5th Congressional District. He is serving his 5th term in Congress and has a career B+ grade.
Rep. Herger represents California’s 2nd Congressional District. He is serving his 13th term in Congress and has a career A grade.
Rep. McKeon represents California’s 25th Congressional District. He is serving his 10th term in Congress and has a career A+ grade.
For the full list of cosponsors, visit the Thomas section of the Library of Congress’ website.
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