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Birthright confusion

May 17, 2025
May 17, 2025
3

Editor,

I’m a fourth generation “American” but now I’m not a citizen.

(3) comments

Terence Y May 17, 2025 8:45am

Thanks for your letter, Ms. Mercer, but unless you were born after February 20, 2025, Trump’s executive order doesn’t apply to you. If you were born after February 20, 2025, congratulations on knowing how to operate a keyboard and submit an LTE to the DJ at an age of less than three months. Otherwise, enjoy your citizenship as a fourth generation “American.” If you’re really worried, you can move and establish citizenship in another country.

Maybe in a follow-up letter, you can instruct folks on how to find out and obtain proof they’re US citizens. In fact, let’s enact a law instructing everyone to provide proof of citizenship. If they can’t they may be deported. That would help us find all the “gotaways” and remove them from the greatest country on earth. What say you?

Dirk van Ulden May 17, 2025 8:44am

Kristin - if you choose to do so, Homeland Security will give you $1,000 to voluntarily return. Trump's intent is to reduce the number of anchor baby situations. I admit, you bring up another grey area. Let's hope the Supreme Court will encourage the Congress to clarify residency and duration requirements to determine eligibility.

KDM May 17, 2025 3:17pm

Congress has already clarified eligibility; it's 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."

Former slaves were not the only "immigrants" living in the US in 1870; millions arrived from Europe and Asia and all of their children are included in this amendment.

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