GOP Rep Wants To End Citizenship For Kids Of Undocumented Immigrants

Rep. Nathan Deal (R-GA), who is running for governor of Georgia, wants to repeal the portion of the 14th Amendment which grants "birthright citizenship" to any child born on American soil.

Deal and his supporters say the 14th Amendment wording was never meant to automatically give citizenship to babies born to illegal immigrants. “This is a sensible, overdue measure that closes a clause that was never meant to be a loophole,” said Bob Dane, spokesman for the Federation for American Immigration Reform, which seeks tighter immigration restrictions.

Under Deal’s proposal, babies born in the U.S. would automatically have citizenship only if at least one of their parents is a U.S. citizen or national, a legal permanent resident of the U.S., or actively serving in the U.S. military. Azadeh Shahshahani, director of the Immigrants Rights Project of the American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia, said the proposed law “is not cognizant with the American spirit.” “We would stand in strong opposition to this bill as it’s in fundamental contradiction to our nation’s long history of welcoming immigrants and bestowing inalienable rights” on all people born here, regardless of the circumstances of their birth, she said.

Deal mentions no method for dealing with the potential millions of children who would be rendered "stateless" by his proposal. He has submitted his bill to the House Judiciary Committee, where it will of course die. Meanwhile back in good 'ol Georgia there a good chance he'll get back-slapped right into the governor's mansion.