BornUndertheConstitution:

WhyRecentAttacksOnBirthrightCitizenshipAre Unfounded

IssueBriefNo.5March31,2011 ElizabethWydra1

Introduction
Sinceitsratificationin1868,theFourteenthAmendmenthasguaranteedthatAll personsbornornaturalizedintheUnitedStatesandsubjecttothejurisdictionthereof,are citizensoftheUnitedStatesandoftheStatewhereintheyreside.Justadecadebeforethis languagewasaddedtoourConstitution,theSupremeCourtheldinDredScottv.Sandfordthat personsofAfricandescentcouldnotbecitizensundertheConstitution.Ournationfoughta waratleastinparttorepudiatetheterribleerrorofDredScottandtosecure,inthe Constitution,citizenshipforallpersonsbornonU.S.soil,regardlessofrace,colorororigin. Againstthebackdropofprejudiceagainstnewlyfreedslavesandvariousimmigrant communitiessuchastheChineseandGypsies,theReconstructionFramersrecognizedthatthe promiseofequalityandlibertyintheoriginalConstitutionneededtobepermanently establishedforpeopleofallcolors;accordingly,theReconstructionFramerschoseto constitutionalizetheconditionssufficientforautomaticcitizenship.Fixingtheconditionsof birthrightcitizenshipintheConstitutionratherthanleavingthemuptoconstantrevisionor debatebefitstheinherentdignityofcitizenship,whichshouldnotbegrantedaccordingtothe politicsorprejudicesoftheday. DespitetheclearintentoftheReconstructionFramerstograntU.S.citizenshipbasedon theobjectivemeasureofU.S.birthratherthansubjectivepoliticalorpublicopinion,opponents ofcitizenshipatbirthcontinuetofightthisconstitutionalguarantee.OnJanuary27,2011, SenatorsRandPaul(RKy.)andDavidVitter(RLa.),introducedaproposalinCongressthat wouldamendtheConstitutionsothatU.S.bornchildrenwouldbeconsideredautomatic citizensonlyifoneparentisaU.S.citizen,oneparentisalegalimmigrant,oroneparentisan activememberoftheArmedForces.Thesameday,intheArizonastatelegislature,Republican lawmakersintroducedlegislationseekingtochallengetherighttoU.S.citizenshipforchildren borninthestatewhoseparentsareundocumentedmigrantsorothernoncitizens.Thegoal, accordingtoArizonaRepresentativeJohnKavanagh,aprimarysupporterofthelegislation,is totrigger...SupremeCourtreviewofthephrasesubjecttothejurisdictionthereofinthe 14thamendment.

ThisIssueBriefwasfirstreleasedbytheAmericanConstitutionSocietyonMarch31,2011. www.theusconstitution.org

120018thStreet,N.W.,Suite1002,Washington,D.C.20036

 Thesetwoexamplesofproposedanticitizenshiplegislationarebynomeansunique. Indeed,theArizonaanticitizenshipbillisbasedonmodellegislationcraftedbyahandfulof statelegislatorsfromacrossthecountry,whocallthemselvesStateLegislatorsforLegal Immigration(SLLI).Thismodellegislationattacksbirthrightcitizenshipintwoways:itwould createtwotiersofbirthcertificates,oneofwhichstateswouldproduceonlyforbabiesbornto U.S.citizensandlegalresidents;anditwouldattempttoskirtlawsstipulatingthatthefederal governmentdefinesU.S.citizenshipbyaddingasecondlevelofstatecitizenship.According totheNationalConferenceofStateLegislatures,Arizonaisthesixthstatetointroduce legislationrelatingtobirthrecordsorbirthcertificatesandthechildrenofforeignbornparents. Similarly,theproposedresolutionfromteapartydarlingsSenatorsPaulandVitter reflectslongstandingandhighlyunsuccessfuleffortsinCongresstodiminishthe constitutionalguaranteeofcitizenshipatbirth.BillshavebeenintroducedinCongresseach yearformorethanadecadetoendautomaticcitizenshipforchildrenbornintheUnitedStates tononcitizenparents.2Indeed,IowaRepresentativeSteveKing(RTx.)introducedanti citizenshiplegislationintheHouseonthefirstdayofthe112thCongress.Because RepresentativeKingassertsthatthe14thAmendmentdoesnotguaranteecitizenshipatbirth forU.S.bornchildrenofundocumentedimmigrants,3hisproposedbilldoesnotseektoamend theConstitution,butratherwouldmerelyamendsection301oftheImmigrationand NationalityActtoclarifywhichclassesofU.S.bornchildrenarecitizensoftheUnitedStates atbirth.4Manyotherprominentconservativelegislatorshaverecentlycalledforhearingsor otherconsiderationofproposalstoendthe14thAmendmentsguaranteeofautomatic citizenshipatbirth,includingthecurrentSpeakeroftheHouseandSenateMinorityLeader. Academicsandnationalpoliticianshaveaddedtothemovementsmomentum.In recentyears,asmallhandfulofacademicshavejoinedthedebateandcalledintoquestion birthrightcitizenship,5and,inthe2008presidentialcampaign,severalRepublicancandidates expressedtheirskepticismthattheConstitutionguaranteesbirthrightcitizenship.6Severalof

E.g.,H.R.6789,110thCong.(2008);H.R.RES.46,110thCong.(2007);H.R.1940,110thCong.(2007);H.R.4192, 110thCong.(2007);H.R.3700,109thCong.(2005);H.R.3938,109thCong.(2005);H.R.698,109thCong.(2005); H.R.7,105thCong.(1997);H.R.346,105thCong.(1997);H.R.1363,104thCong.(1995). 3 BrianMontopoli,SteveKing:BirthrightCitizenshipBillCouldbeSoon,CBSNEWS,Nov.22,2010,t http://www.cbsnews.com/8301503544_16220023606503544.html?tag=contentMain;contentBody. 4 H.R.140,112thCong.(2011). 5 E.g.,PeterSchuck&RogersSmith,CITIZENSHIPWITHOUTCONSENT:ILLEGALALIENSINTHEAMERICANPOLITY(1985);Charles Wood,LosingControlofAmericasFuture,22HARV.J.L.&PUB.POLY465(1999). 6 StephenDinan,HuckabeeRetreatsonBirthrightCitizenship,WASH.TIMES,Jan.9,2008(notingthatMikeHuckabee hasattimesexpressedsupportforendingbirthrightcitizenship);JoannaKlonsky,TheCandidatesonImmigration, NEWSWEEK,Jan.3,2008(notingthatRepublicanpresidentialcandidatesRonPaul,andTomTancredosupport endingbirthrightcitizenship);JimStratton,ThompsonAngersStateHispanics,ORLANDOSENTINEL,Sept.29,2007 (reportingthatFredThompsonpubliclyexpressedsupportforrethinkingbirthrightcitizenship);PoliticalRadar, RomneyEyeingEndtoBirthrightCitizenship,http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2007/07/romneystill lo.html(July22,2007,16:17EST)(explainingthatMittRomneywaslookingintowhetherbirthrightcitizenship couldbeendedlegislativelyorbyconstitutionalamendment). CACIssueBrief Page|2
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thecurrentlikelycandidatesforthe2012Republicanpresidentialnominationalsoopposethe constitutionalguaranteeofautomaticcitizenshipatbirth.Thoughthemostprominent proponentsofendingbirthrightcitizenshiphavebeenconservative,theefforthasattimes beenbipartisan:DemocraticSenatorandnowMajorityLeaderHarryReidintroduced legislationthatwoulddenybirthrightcitizenshiptochildrenofmotherswhoarenotU.S. citizensorlawfulpermanentresidents,althoughhehassincebacktrackedfromthatposition.7 ButthedefendersoftheConstitutionsguaranteeofautomaticcitizenshiparealso bipartisan.FormeraidestoPresidentRonaldReagan,bothPresidentsBush,andVicePresident DickCheneyhavepubliclycondemnedcallstoendbirthrightcitizenship.Evenconservative commentatorLouDobbshasrefusedtojointheanticitizenshipactivists.8Thiscommon groundbetweenprogressivesandconservativesisareflectionofthefactthat,regardlessof howonefeelsaboutimmigrationpolicy,anyonewhotakestheConstitutionstextandhistory seriouslyshouldrespectthe14thAmendmentsexpressguaranteeofequalcitizenshipatbirth. AclosestudyofthetextoftheCitizenshipClauseandReconstructionhistory demonstratesthattheCitizenshipClauseprovidesbirthrightcitizenshiptoallthosebornon U.S.soil,regardlessoftheimmigrationstatusoftheirparents.Torevokebirthrightcitizenship basedonthestatusandnationaloriginofachildsancestors,assomeanticitizenshipactivists aresuggesting,goesagainstthepurposeoftheCitizenshipClauseandthetextandcontextof theFourteenthAmendment. Perhapsmoreimportant,theprinciplesmotivatingtheFramersoftheReconstruction Amendments,ofwhichtheCitizenshipClauseisapart,suggestthatweamendtheConstitution torejectautomaticcitizenshipattheperilofourcoreconstitutionalvalues.Attheheartofthe 14thAmendmentisthefundamentalbeliefthatallpeoplearebornequal,and,ifborninthe UnitedStates,arebornequalcitizensregardlessofcolor,creedorsocialstatus.Itisno exaggerationtosaythatthe14thAmendmentistheconstitutionalembodimentofthe DeclarationofIndependenceandlaysthefoundationfortheAmericanDream.Becauseofthe 14thAmendment,allAmericancitizensareequalandequallyAmerican.Whetherones parentswererichorpoor,saintorsinner,the14thAmendmentproclaimsthatoursisanation whereanAmericanchildwillbejudgedbyhisorherowndeeds.

I.

TheTextoftheFourteenthAmendment

TheReconstructionFramersintenttograntcitizenshiptoallthosebornonU.S.soil, regardlessofrace,origin,orstatus,wasturnedintothepowerfullyplainlanguageofSection1 oftheFourteenthAmendment:AllpersonsbornornaturalizedintheUnitedStates,and

S.1351,103dCong.(1993).SeealsoJamesC.Ho,DefiningAmerican:BirthrightCitizenshipandtheOriginal Understandingofthe14thAmendment,9GREENBAG2D367,36768(2006)(discussingfederalhearingsand legislativeproposals). 8 PostingofAndreaNilltoTheWonkRoom,http://wonkroom.thinkprogress.org/(August2,2010,17:57EST). CACIssueBrief Page|3

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subjecttothejurisdictionthereof,arecitizensoftheUnitedStatesandofthestatewherein theyreside. ThetextoftheratifiedCitizenshipClauseembodiesthejussoliruleofcitizenship,under whichcitizenshipisacquiredbyrightofthesoil(contrastedwithjussanguinis,accordingto whichcitizenshipisgrantedaccordingtobloodline). Birthrightcitizenshipisaformofascriptivecitizenshipbecauseonespolitical membershipturnsonanobjectivecircumstanceplaceofbirth.ThetextoftheFourteenth AmendmentisnottheonlyplaceintheConstitutionthatreflectsthenotionthatcitizenshipcan accruefromthecircumstancesofonesbirth:ArticleIIoftheConstitution,providesthatany naturalborncitizenwhomeetsageandresidencyrequirementsiseligibletobecome President.JustastheCitizenshipClausesetsforthbirthonU.Ssoilastheconditionfor citizenshipnotraceorbloodlineArticleIIspecifiesthattherelevantqualificationforthe presidencyoftheUnitedStatesisbirthconferredcitizenship,notanyparticularancestry. Formorethanacentury,ithasbeenthecommonunderstandingthattheConstitutions treatmentofcitizenshipfollowsthejussolirule.Caselawjustafterratificationofthe FourteenthAmendmentinterpretedtheCitizenshipClausetoconferautomaticcitizenshipon personsbornintheUnitedStatesregardlessoftheirparentsimmigrationstatus.Inthe1886 caseofLookTinSing,forexample,thecourtheldthatachildofChineseparentswhostill retainedtheirstatusasChinesecitizens,despitetheirpresenceintheUnitedStateswasaU.S. citizenundertheCitizenshipClausebecausehewasbornonU.S.soil.Asthecourtstated plainly,Itisenoughthathewasbornhere,whateverwasthestatusofhisparents.9 Similarly,theU.S.SupremeCourthasconsistentlyreadtheCitizenshipClausetogrant citizenshipautomaticallytoalmosteveryonebornonU.S.soil.10Inthe1898caseofUnited Statesv.WongKimArk,theSupremeCourtcarefullyexaminedthehistoryofcitizenship generallyandwithrespecttotheCitizenshipClause.Basedonthishistoryandthetextofthe FourteenthAmendment,theCourtheldthatpersonsbornwithintheUnitedStates,whose parentsresideintheUnitedStatesbutremaincitizensofaforeigncountry,areautomatically U.S.citizens.11TheonlyexceptiontobirthrightcitizenshiprecognizedbytheCourtderives fromthephrasesubjecttothejurisdictionthereof,whichtheCourtreadstorefertothelegal authorityorcontroloftheUnitedStatesareadingthatexcludesfromautomaticcitizenship thechildrenofforeigndiplomatsorhostileinvaders,whoarenotsubjecttoU.S.legalauthority duetotheirdiplomaticandcombatantimmunity.12

InreLookTinSing,21F.905,910(C.C.D.Cal.1884). E.g.,UnitedStatesv.WongKimArk,169U.S.649,702(1898)(EverypersonbornintheUnitedStates,and subjecttothejurisdictionthereof,becomesatonceacitizenoftheUnitedStates,andneedsnonaturalization.). 11 Id.at65593. 12 Id.at65558. CACIssueBrief Page|4

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Morerecently,theSupremeCourthascontinuedtointerprettheConstitutionto provideautomaticcitizenshipatbirthforU.S.bornchildren,regardlessoftheimmigration statusoftheirparents.In1982,theCourtexplainedinPlylerv.Doe13thatthe14th Amendmentextendstoanyonewhoissubjecttothelawsofastate,includingtheU.S.born childrenofundocumentedimmigrants.Similarly,inthe1985caseINSv.RiosPineda,14the courtstatedthatachildbornonU.S.soiltoanundocumentedimmigrantwasaU.S.citizen frombirth. UndertheSupremeCourtslongstandingreading,thesubjecttothejurisdiction languagecarvesoutfrombirthrightcitizenshiponlychildrenofdiplomatswhoareimmune fromprosecutionunderU.S.laws.Unquestionably,ifundocumentedimmigrantsortheir childrencommitacrimeintheU.S.,theycanbeandarepunishedunderU.S.law.Thus,they aresubjecttothejurisdictionoftheUnitedStates. ThisunderstandingoftheFourteenthAmendmenthasshapedournationspractices regardingcitizenshipforoveracentury,andguaranteesthatcitizenshipisbasedonan objectivecircumstanceratherthanonmembershipinanyethnicgrouporrace.Thisreadingof thetextcomportswiththeplainlanguageoftheCitizenshipClauseandsquareswiththe Clauseslegislativehistory.

II.

TheHistoryoftheCitizenshipClause

ThecurrentdebateoverthemeaningoftheCitizenshipClausealsostandsinstark contrasttothelegislativedebatesoccurringatthetimeCongressapprovedit.Perhapsthe mostremarkablefeatureofthelegislativehistoryoftheCitizenshipClauseisthatbothits proponentsandopponentsagreedthatitrecognizesandprotectsbirthrightcitizenshipforthe childrenofaliensbornonU.S.soil.TheReconstructionCongressdidnotdebatethemeaningof theClause,butratherwhether,basedontheirsharedunderstandingofitsmeaning,theClause embodiedsoundpublicpolicybyprotectingbirthrightcitizenship.Forthemostpart, congressionalopponentsofbirthrightcitizenshiparguedvigorouslyagainstitbecause,intheir view,itwouldgrantcitizenshiptopersonsofacertainrace,ethnicityorstatusthatthese opponentsdeemedunworthyofcitizenship.Fortunately,theseviewsdidnotcarrytheday. Instead,Congressapprovedaconstitutionalamendmentthatusedanobjectivemeasurebirth onU.S.soiltoautomaticallygrantcitizenshiptoallthosewhosatisfiedthiscondition. A. Origins:TheCivilRightsActof1866 TheReconstructionFramersviewsofwhatgrantingcitizenshiptoallchildrenborn subjecttothejurisdictionoftheUnitedStateswouldentailcanbediscernednotonlyfrom thedebatesovertheFourteenthAmendment,butalsofromthedebatesthatsameyearover

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457U.S.202(1982). 471U.S.444(1985). CACIssueBrief

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theCivilRightsAct,whichincludedanearlyidenticalcitizenshipprovision.15Thesedebates establishtwopointsfataltotheclaimsagainstbirthrightcitizenship:first,thatthedraftersof theReconstructionAmendmentsunderstoodcitizenshiptobeconferredautomaticallybybirth, andsecond,thatanychildbornonU.S.soilwasacitizen,regardlessofwhetherhisorher parentswerealiens,citizens,orslavesbroughtillegallyintothecountry. Theintenttoincludechildrenofalienswithinbirthrightcitizenshipisclearfromthe floordebatesof1866.MembersofCongressspecificallydebatedtheimpactautomatic citizenshipwouldhaveonvariousimmigrantgroupsthathadrecentlymigratedtotheUnited Statesinsignificantnumbers,notablytheChinesepopulationinCaliforniaandtheWest,and theGypsyorRomacommunitiesineasternstatessuchasPennsylvania.Muchofthe nineteenthcenturyhostilitytowardChineseandGypsyimmigrantsissimilartotheresentment anddistrustleveledatimmigrantstodayfromLatinAmericancountries:concernthat immigrantswouldtakeawaygoodjobsfromU.S.citizens(whileexhibitingawillingnesstoallow immigrantstotakejobsperceivedasundesirable);16fearofwavesofimmigrantsinvadingor overtakingexistingAmericancommunities;17anddistrustofdifferentculturesandlanguages.18 ThesefearswereexpressedbysomemembersoftheReconstructionCongressbutwerenot allowedtoinfluencetherequirementsforcitizenship.

Thecitizenshiplanguageofthe1866CivilRightsActprovided:AllpersonsbornintheUnitedStatesandnot subjecttoanyforeignpower,excludingIndiansnottaxed,areherebydeclaredtobecitizensoftheUnitedStates. 14Stat.27(1866). 16 ThomasWuilJoo,NewConspiracyTheoryoftheFourteenthAmendment:NineteenthCenturyChineseCivil RightsCasesandtheDevelopmentofSubstantiveDueProcessJurisprudence,29U.S.F.L.REV.353,358(1995) (citationsomitted): AntiChinesesentimentwaslargelyeconomicallymotivated;thisisreflectedin theExclusionActs,whichweredirectedspecificallyatChineselaborers.Inthe mid1800s, Chinese laborers and gold prospectors entered a California economywhereNativeAmericansandAfricanAmericanswerealreadyseenas threats to free white labor. . . . Chinese entrepreneurs in the American West had experienced great early success in the cigarmaking and shoemaking industries,butthedownturnintheWesterneconomyinthe1870s,combined with antiChinese agitation from white competitors, drove the Chinese out of thesebusinesses.ThelaundrybusinessremainedopentotheChinesebecause thewhitesconsidereditmenialandundesirable. See,e.g.,CONG.GLOBE,39thCong.,1stSess.497(1866)(statementofSen.VanWinkle)(statingthatthe citizenshiplanguageisoneofthegravestsubjectssubmittedtothepeopleoftheUnitedStates,anditinvolves notonlythenegrorace,butotherinferiorracesthatarenowsettingonourPacificcoast,andperhapsinvolvesa futureimmigrationtothiscountryofwhichwehavenoconception.).SeegenerallyWalterOttoWeyrauch& MaureenBell,AutonomousLawmaking:TheCaseoftheGypsies,103YALEL.J.323,342n.60(1993)(notingthat theUnitedStatesadoptedimmigrationpoliciesinthe1880storestricttheentranceofGypsies). 18 See,e.g.,CONG.GLOBE,39thCong.,1stSess.499(1866)(statementofSen.Cowan)(arguingthat,ifthedoorto citizenshipbeopenedtothebarbarianracesofAsiaandorofAfrica....thereisanendtorepublican government). CACIssueBrief Page|6
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Forexample,earlyinthedebates,anopponenttobirthrightcitizenshipSenatorEdgar Cowan,oftencitedbymodernopponentsofbirthrightcitizenshipobjectedtothecitizenship provisionbyaskingwhetheritwillnothavetheeffectofnaturalizingthechildrenofthe ChineseandGypsiesborninthiscountry.19SenatorTrumbullstatedthatitwould, undoubtedly.20AsTrumbullstatedclearlyinthefaceofCowansxenophobicremarks,the childofanAsiaticisjustasmuchacitizenasthechildofaEuropean.21EchoingTrumbulls definitivestatement,SenatorMorrillaskedtheCongress,Asamatteroflaw,doesanybody denyhereoranywherethatthenativebornisacitizen,andacitizenbybirthalone?22Morrill citedthegrandprinciplebothofnatureandnations,bothoflawandpolitics,thatthenative bornisacitizen,andacitizenbyvirtueofhisbirthalone.23Toeraseanydoubt,hewentonto statethatbirthbyitsinherentenergyandforcegivescitizenship.24 PresidentJohnsonclearlysharedthisviewofwhatCongresswasattemptingtoachieve inthecitizenshiplanguageoftheCivilRightsActwhichwaswhyhevetoedit.Inhismessage informingCongressofhisvetooftheoriginalcivilrightsbill,Johnsonnotedthattheprovisionof thebillthatallpersonsbornintheUnitedStates,andnotsubjecttoanyforeignpowerare declaredtobecitizensoftheUnitedStatescomprehendstheChineseofthePacificStates [and]thepeoplecalledGypsies,aswellastheentireracedesignatedasblacks,peopleofcolor, negroes,mulattoes,andpersonsofAfricanblood.25PresidentJohnsonunderstoodthebillto providethat[e]veryindividualofthoseraces,bornintheUnitedStates,isbythebillmadea citizenoftheUnitedStates.26 B. Enactment:TheFourteenthAmendment TheReconstructionFramerswereundeterredbyPresidentJohnsonsopposition.Not onlydidtheyreenacttheCivilRightsActoverthePresidentsveto,butjusttwomonthsafter JohnsonspecificallyvetoedtheActscitizenshipprovision,Congressensuredthepermanence ofbirthrightcitizenshipbyincorporatingitintotheFourteenthAmendment.OnMay29,1866, duringCongresssdebatesovertheFourteenthAmendment,SenatorJacobHowardof MichiganproposedaddinglanguagethatwouldultimatelyberatifiedastheCitizenshipClause. Heexplainedthathisproposedadditionwoulddeclarethateverypersonbornwithinthe limitsoftheUnitedStates,andsubjecttotheirjurisdiction,isbyvirtueofnaturallawand nationallawacitizenoftheUnitedStates.27

CONG.GLOBE,39thCong.,1stSess.498(1866). Id. 21 Id. 22 CONG.GLOBE,39thCong.,1stSess.570(1866). 23 Id. 24 Id.SenatorTrumbullmadesimilarstatements,explainingthatbirthentitlesapersontocitizenship,thatevery freebornpersoninthisland,is,byvirtueofbeingbornhere,acitizenoftheUnitedStates.CONG.GLOBE,39th Cong.,1stSess.600(1866). 25 CONG.GLOBE,39thCong.,1stSess.1679(1866). 26 Id. 27 CONG.GLOBE,39thCong.,1stSess.2545(1866). CACIssueBrief Page|7
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 Bothopponentsandsupportersoftheamendmentsharedtheviewthatthislanguage automaticallygrantedcitizenshiptoallpersonsbornintheUnitedStates(exceptchildrenof foreignministersandinvadingarmies).28Infact,opponentsoftheFourteenthAmendments CitizenshipClauseobjectedtoitpreciselybecausetheyunderstoodittoconstitutionallyprotect birthrightcitizenshipforchildrenofaliensbornonU.S.soil.Forexample,SenatorCowan expressedconcernthattheproposalwouldexpandthenumberChineseinCaliforniaand GypsiesinhishomestateofPennsylvaniabygrantingbirthrightcitizenshiptotheirchildren, even(asheputit)thechildrenofthosewhoowenoallegiancetotheUnitedStatesand routinelycommittrespasswithintheUnitedStates.29 SupportersofHowardsproposaldidnotrespondbytakingissuewithCowans understanding,butinsteadbyagreeingwithitanddefendingitasamatterofsoundpolicy. SenatorJohnConnessofCaliforniadeclared: Thepropositionbeforeus...relatessimplyinthatrespecttothechildrenbegottenof ChineseparentsinCalifornia,anditisproposedtodeclarethattheyshallbecitizens....Iamin favorofdoingso...Weareentirelyreadytoaccepttheprovisionproposedinthis constitutionalamendment,thatthechildrenbornhereofMongolianparentsshallbedeclared bytheConstitutionoftheUnitedStatestobeentitledtocivilrightsandtoequalprotection beforethelawwithothers.30 ThelegislativehistoryoftheCitizenshipClausedemonstratesthatthedraftersofthe Clauseandtheirpoliticalopponentsknewthattheprovisionwouldgrantautomatic citizenshiptopersonsbornonU.S.soilregardlessoftheirparentsrace,nationalorigin,or status.WhetherthemembersoftheReconstructionCongressunderstoodtheCitizenship Clausetobeawelcomedturntowardequalityandvotedforitoraworrisomeinvitationto foreignmigrantsandvotedagainstitbothsidesagreedontheenactedClausesmeaning.

Inaddition,whiletheviewwasnotheldunanimously,theprevailingsentimentwasthattheCitizenshipClause didnotapplytoAmericanIndians.In1870,aSenateJudiciaryCommitteereportontheimpactoftheFourteenth AmendmentonIndiantribesconcludedthatIndianswhoretainedtribalstatuswerenotsubjecttoU.S.jurisdiction withinthemeaningoftheAmendmentscitizenshipprovisions.S.REP.NO.41268(1870).In1884,theSupreme CourtheldthatpersonsbornintoIndiantribeswerenotcitizensbybirthundertheFourteenthAmendment because,whilethetribeswerewithintheterritoriallimitsoftheUnitedStates,theyweredistinctpolitical communities.Elkv.Wilkins,112U.S.94,99(1884).JusticeHarlandissented,arguingthatthemajoritysresult wasnotwhattheFourteenthAmendmenthadintended.Id.at122(Harlan,J.,dissenting).Thedebatewas resolvedintheearly1900s,however,when,asthefederalgovernmentdissolvedthelegalauthorityand independenceoftheNativeAmericantribes,CongressextendedcitizenshiptoIndians.SeeSarahH.Cleveland, PowersInherentinSovereignty:Indians,Aliens,Territories,andtheNineteenthCenturyOriginsofPlenaryPower overForeignAffairs,81TEX.L.REV.1,64(2002). 29 CONG.GLOBE,39thCong.,1stSess.289091(1866). 30 CONG.GLOBE,39thCong.,1stSess.2891(1866).SeegenerallyHo,supranote6,at36869(discussingtheCowan Connessexchange). CACIssueBrief Page|8
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III.

ThePrinciplesoftheFourteenthAmendment

WhilethetextandhistoryandoftheCitizenshipClausedemonstratetheintentand effectuationoftheReconstructionFramersdesiretoenshrineautomaticbirthrightcitizenship intheConstitution,theprinciplesbehindReconstructionmaybeevenmorerelevanttothe currentchallengetobirthrightcitizenship. Giventheintensityofournationaldebateoverimmigration,itcomesaslittlesurprise thatthespecialtargetsoftheattacksonbirthrightcitizenshiparechildrenofundocumented immigrants.Someobserverscontendthatbirthrightcitizenshipprovidesastrongincentiveto thoseoutsideourborderstoenterthecountryillegallyinordertogivebirthonU.S.soiland therebysecureautomaticcitizenshipfortheirchild,thesocalledanchorbabycharge.These undocumentedimmigrants,theargumentcontinues,oftenhopetheUnitedStateswillgrant citizenshiptothemaswellforthesakeofthechildren.TheyarguethattheCongressshould passlegislationthatprospectivelydeniescitizenshiptochildrenofundocumentedimmigrants. AtthetimetheFourteenthAmendmentwasdrafted,opinionsonraceandethnicity werepassionatelyheldandforcefullydebated.TheDredScott31decisionwhichwas specificallyoverruledthroughtheCitizenshipClausedemonstrateswhytheReconstruction FramersdraftedtheClausetoplacetheclassofpersonseligibleforcitizenshipbeyonddebate. Dissentingfromthemajoritysopinionthat,underitsviewoftheConstitution,citizenshipat thattimewasperfectlyunderstoodtobeconfinedtothewhiterace,32JusticeCurtisnotedthe potentialdangersifCongresswereempoweredtoenactatwillwhatfreepersons,bornwithin theseveralStates,shallorshallnotbecitizensoftheUnitedStates.33Curtisnotedthatifthe Constitutiondidnotfixlimitationsofdiscretion,Congresscouldselectclassesofpersons withintheseveralStateswhocouldalonebeentitledtotheprivilegesofcitizenship,and,inso doing,turnthedemocraticrepublicintoanoligarchy.34 EvenontheflooroftheU.S.Senate,xenophobicandracistsentimentswerefreely expressedandsomesenatorssoughttohavethesebeliefsreflectedinthecitizenshiplaws.The FramersoftheFourteenthamendmentwiselyrejectedtheseattempts,andcreateda Constitutionthatgavecitizenshipautomaticallytoanyone,ofanycolororstatus,bornwithin theUnitedStates.Theprovisionofcitizenshipbybirthrightwasconstitutionalizedtoplacethe questionofwhoshouldbeacitizenbeyondthemereconsentofpoliticiansandthesentiments oftheday,andlogicallyso.35Aftercataloguingthediscriminatoryenactmentsofthe

60U.S.(19How.)393(1856). Id.at419. 33 Id.at57778. 34 Id. 35 See1JOSEPHSTORY,COMMENTARIESONTHECONSTITUTIONOFTHEUNITEDSTATES653(ThomasM.Cooleyed.,4thed. 1873)(notingthattheFourteenthAmendmentconstitutionalizedtheconditionssufficientforcitizenshipbecause therightsofaclassofpersonsstillsufferingunderabanofprejudicecouldneverbedeemedentirelysecure CACIssueBrief Page|9

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slaveholdingstates,itwouldhavemadenosensefortheReconstructionFramerstohavemade thecitizenshipoffreedslavesopentoeasyrevocationifthesestatesregainedlegislative power.36 Indeed,SenatorHotchkissspecificallyraisedthisfearwithrespecttotheFourteenth Amendment,whichwasoriginallydraftedsimplytoallowCongresstoenforcetheprotections oftheConstitutionratherthantoenumeratethespecificrightsandguaranteesiteventually embodied.HenotedthepossibilitythatrebelstatescouldgainpowerintheCongressand stripawaytherightsenvisionedbytheReconstructionFramers,unlesstheserightswere securedbyaconstitutionalamendmentthatlegislationcannotoverride.37Thewisdomofthe ReconstructionFramersinplacingtheconditionsofcitizenshipabovemajorityactionwas confirmedwhenexclusionaryimmigrationlawswerepassedjustaftertheFourteenth Amendmentwasratified.HadtheracialanimusoftheChineseExclusionLawspassedinthe 1880s38beenincorporatedintothetextoftheCitizenshipClause,theamendmentwouldbea sourceofshameratherthananemblemofequality. Thecurrent,inflammatoryinvocationofanchorbabiesbyopponentstobirthright citizenshipfurtherconfirmsthegoodjudgmentoftheFramersoftheFourteenthAmendment inplacingthequestionofcitizenshipbeyondconsentofthepoliticalmajorityatanygiven pointintime.Claimsofwhichimmigrantswereworthierofcitizenshipthanotherswere presentatthetimetheCitizenshipClausewasenacted.Inhisvetomessage,PresidentJohnson objectedtothediscriminationmadebetweenworthyforeigners,whomustgothrough certainnaturalizationproceduresbecauseoftheirforeignbirth,andconferringcitizenshipon allpersonsofAfricandescent,bornwithintheextendedlimitsoftheUnitedStateswho Johnsondidnotfeelwereaspreparedforthedutiesofacitizen.39Thedraftersofthe FourteenthAmendmentrejectedsuchdistinctions,andinsteadprovideduswithaConstitution thatguaranteesequalityandgrantscitizenshiptoallpersonsbornintheUnitedStates, regardlessofcolor,creedororigin.ThetextoftheCitizenshipClausegrantsautomatic citizenshiptoallpersonsbornonU.S.soilsothatminoritygroupsdonotneedtowinapopular

whenatanymomentitwaswithinthepowerofanunfriendlymajorityinCongresstotakethemawaybyrepealing theactwhichconferredthem). 36 SeeCONG.GLOBE,39thCong.,1stSess.474(1866)(statementofSen.Trumbull). 37 CONG.GLOBE,39thCong.,1stSess.1095(1866). 38 ThefirstChineseExclusionAct,which,asthenamesuggests,singledoutimmigrantsofChineseorigin,was passedin1873.TheantiimmigrantsentimentagainsttheChineseinthelatenineteenthcenturyissimilartothe argumentsmadetodayagainstLatinAmericanimmigrants,bothintermsoffearsthattheimmigrantgroupwould overtaketheexistingmajorityandperceivedthreatstolabor(exceptforunwanted,menialjobs).SeeCharlesJ. McClain,Jr.,TheChineseStruggle for Civil Rights in Nineteenth Century America: The First Phase, 1850-1870, 72 CAL. L. REV. 529, 535 (1984)(illustratingthatasmoreChinesearrivedintheUnitedStates,resentmentagainst thembegantobuild).
39

CONG.GLOBE,39thCong.,1stSess.1679(1866). CACIssueBrief

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votetoenjoytheprivilegesandimmunitiesofU.S.citizenshiptheysimplyhavetobeborn here.

IV.

DebunkingModernArgumentsAgainstBirthrightCitizenship

Despitethestrengthoftheargumentrootedintext,history,andlongstanding SupremeCourtprecedentthattheConstitutionguaranteescitizenshipatbirthtoU.S.born childrenregardlessoftheirparentsimmigrationstatus,thereisagrowingaudienceforan argumentthatCongressmaydenybirthrightcitizenshiptothechildrenofundocumentedaliens throughlegislation.Overtheyears,severalbillsandballotinitiativeshavebeenproposedto accomplishexactlythat,40whileotherssimplyarguefortheSupremeCourttochangeitslong standinginterpretationoftheCitizenshipClause.DouglasKmiec,aprofessoratPepperdine UniversitySchoolofLaw,andthenaninformaladvisortoGovernorMittRomney,reportedly concludedthatthereisabetterthanplausibleargumentthatCongressmaylegislatively eliminateoradjustthepracticeofbirthrightcitizenship.41Mostrecently,thenewchairmanof theHouseJudiciaryCommittee,RepresentativeLamarSmith(RTx.),hassimilarlyopined:The grantingofautomaticcitizenshipcomesfromamisinterpretationofthe14thAmendment. Fortunately,itwouldnttakeasmuchasaconstitutionalamendmentwecanfixitwith congressionalaction.42 A. TheAllegianceRedHerring Theargumentsforcongressionalauthoritytolimitbirthrightcitizenshipareallreliant uponanexpansiveinterpretationofthetermsubjecttothejurisdictionoftheUnitedStates. Forexample,someopponentsofbirthrightcitizenshipdisputethattheCitizenshipClause embodiesthejussolidefinitionofcitizenshipandinsteadarguethatitconferscitizenshiponly tochildrenofthosewhogivetheircompleteallegiancetotheUnitedStates.Underthisview, becausecitizensofforeigncountriesstilloweallegiancetoaforeignsovereign,childrenborn onU.S.soiltononU.S.citizenparentsdonotowecompleteallegiancetotheUnitedStates. Thisargumentismisleadingandbasedonflawedpremises. Tobesure,thecongressionaldebatesovertheCitizenshipClauseincludeoccasional referencestoallegiance,whichsomecommentatorsusetoarguethattheCitizenshipClause protectsonlythechildrenofthosewhoowecompleteandexclusiveallegiancetotheUnited States.But,evenifallegiancewerethedefiningcharacteristicofbirthrightcitizenship,the

40

E.g.,JamesC.Ho,BirthrightCitizenship,theFourteenthAmendment,andtheTexasLegislature,12TEX.REV.L.& POL.161,161n.1(2007)(citingexamples). 41 TeddyDavis,RomneyWeathersIllegalWorkerAllegations,ABCNEWS,Feb.13,2007, http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Story?id=2873594&page=1. SeePolitico.com,Rep.LamarSmithsResponsetoEndofBirthrightCitizenship?PresidentObamasToughLove forTeachers?,http://www.politico.com/arena/perm/Rep__Lamar_Smith_BE1DCBC60F8B417BAF18 097C59473EE8.html. CACIssueBrief Page|11

42

ReconstructionFramersunderstoodallegiancetospringfromtheplaceofonesbirth,notthe citizenshipstatusofonesparents.The1866debatesshowthatallegianceisnotinconsistent withbirthrightcitizenship,becauseapersonowesallegiancetothecountryofhisbirth,and thatcountryoweshimprotection.43Similarly,oneoftheopinionsfromtheDredScott decision,whichwasthebackdropagainstwhichtheCitizenshipClausewasdrafted, acknowledgedthatallegianceandcitizenshipspringfromtheplaceofbirth.44 Thisunderstandingofallegiancederivingfromonesplaceofbirthunderscoresthe ReconstructionFramersfocusonthechildbornwithintheUnitedStates,notthestatusofhis parents.ThetextoftheCitizenshipClausethusrefersto[a]llpersonsbornwithintheUnited StatesandnotallpersonsbornofparentsbornwithintheUnitedStates.TheReconstruction Framersexpresslyrecognizedthisdistinction:SenatorTrumbullremarkedthateventheinfant childofaforeignerborninthislandisacitizenoftheUnitedStateslongbeforehisfather.45 Someevenacknowledgedthatbirthrightcitizenshipcouldencourageimmigration,notingthat thecivilrightsbillwasnotmadeforanyclassorcreed,orraceorcolor,butinthegreatfuture thatawaitsuswill,ifitbecomealaw,protecteverycitizen,includingthemillionsofpeopleof foreignbirthwhowillflocktoourshorestobecomecitizensandtofindherealandofliberty andlaw.46 Caselawfromtheperiodconfirmsthisview.ThecaseofLynchv.Clarke,citedinthe 1866debates,47statedthatchildrenbornherearecitizenswithoutanyregardtothepolitical conditionorallegianceoftheirparents.48Thecourtheldthateverypersonbornwithinthe dominionsandallegianceoftheUnitedStates,whateverwerethesituationofhisparents,isa naturalborncitizen.49TenyearsaftertheLynchcase,thethenSecretaryofStateMarcywrote inaletteropinionthateverypersonbornintheUnitedStatesmustbeconsideredacitizenof theUnitedStates,notwithstandingoneorbothofhisparentsmayhavebeenalienatthetime ofhisbirth.50Thus,eveniftherelevantmeasureofcitizenshipwereallegianceratherthan birthwithintheterritoryoftheUnitedStates,birthrightcitizenshipwouldstillbethe constitutionalrule. B. ExceptingForeignDiplomatsIsNotTheSameAsExceptingAllForeigners

CONG.GLOBE,39thCong.,1stSess.570(1866). DredScottv.Sandford,60U.S.(19How.)393,586(1856)(Curtis,J.,dissenting)(explaininghisbeliefthat, becausetheConstitutiondidnotprovidethefederalgovernmentwiththepowertodeterminewhichnativeborn inhabitantswerecitizens,thispowerwasretainedbytheStates,whichcouldenacttheirowncitizenshipruleswith regardtopersonsbornonthatStatessoil). 45 CONG.GLOBE,39thCong.,1stSess.1757(1866). 46 CONG.GLOBE,39thCong.,1stSess.1833(1866). 47 CONG.GLOBE,39thCong.,1stSess.1832(1866). 48 1Sand.Ch.583(N.Y.Ch.1844). 49 Id.at663(emphasisadded). 50 LetterofWilliamL.Marcy,U.S.SecretaryofState,March1854,quotedinCONG.GLOBE,39thCong.,1stSess. 1116(1866)(statementofRep.Wilson).
44 43

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 AnoftrepeatedclaimbyopponentsofbirthrightcitizenshipisthattheCitizenship Clausewasintendedtoexcludeforeignersfromitsguaranteeofautomaticcitizenship.In supportofthisclaim,theyciteastatementbySenatorHoward,whointroducedthelanguageof theCitizenshipClause,inwhichhenotedthattheamendmentwouldnot,ofcourse,include personsbornintheUnitedStateswhoareforeigners,aliens,whobelongtothefamiliesof ambassadorsorforeignministersaccreditedtotheGovernmentoftheUnitedStates,butwill includeeveryotherclassofpersons.51 Thisstatementdoesnotprovetheanticitizenshipadvocatesclaim.SenatorHowards descriptionoftheonlyclassofchildrenbornonU.S.soilwhowouldnotbeU.S.citizens automaticallyatbirthwasmerelyasummaryofthewidelyacceptedunderstandingthat childrenofdiplomatswouldnotbebirthrightcitizens.Thisisbecauseofthelegalfictionthat diplomats,whilephysicallypresenthere,remaininasenseonthehomegroundoftheir countryhencetheconceptofdiplomaticimmunity.SenatorHowardusedtheterms foreignersandaliensinthesentencequotedabovetodescribethosewhobelongtothe familiesofambassadorsorforeignministersaccreditedtotheGovernmentoftheUnited States.IfHowardwasintendingtolistseveralcategoriesofexcludedpersons(e.g.,foreigners, aliensorfamiliesofdiplomats)hecouldhavesaidso.Instead,thelanguageheusedstrongly suggestshewasdescribingasingleexcludedclass,limitedtofamiliesofdiplomats. ThisinterpretationoftheReconstructionFramersviewsontheclassesofpersons excludedfrombirthrightcitizenshipisclarifiedbyastatementmadejustsixdayspriorto SenatorHowardsintroductionoftheCitizenshipClause.InanexchangeontheSenatefloor, SenatorWadeacknowledgedacolleaguessuggestionthatsomepersonsbornonU.S.soil mightnotbeautomaticallygrantedcitizenship,statingIknowthatissoinoneinstance,inthe caseofthechildrenofforeignministerswhoresideneartheUnitedStates,inthediplomatic language.52Hewentontoexplainthatchildrenofforeignministerswereexemptnotbecause ofanallegianceorconsentreason,butbecausethereisalegalfictionthattheydonot actuallyresideonU.S.soil:Byafictionoflawsuchpersonsarenotsupposedtoberesiding here,andunderthatfictionoflawtheirchildrenwouldnotbecitizensoftheUnitedStates.53 Inlightofthelegislativehistorydescribedabove,itishighlyunlikelythatSenator Howardscommentregardingforeigndiplomatsmeanswhatopponentstobirthright citizenshipclaim.Asinglecommentpluckedoutofcontextshouldnotbeusedtosweepaside theoverwhelmingtext,history,andprinciplesthatpointtotheoppositeconclusion. C. TheMisguidedConsentTheory

51 52

CONG.GLOBE,39thCong.,1stSess.2545(1866). CONG.GLOBE,39thCong.,1stSess.2769(1866). 53 Id. CACIssueBrief

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Finally,inamodificationoftheallegianceargument,someopponentsofbirthright citizenshipcontendthatthephrasesubjecttothejurisdictionthereofwasoriginally understood,andisbestread,asincorporatingintotheFourteenthAmendmentatheoryof citizenshipbasedonmutualconsent,whichwouldexcludechildrenofparentspresentinthe UnitedStatesillegally(becausetheUnitedStateshasnotconsentedtotheirpresence).Not onlydoesthisconsenttheoryrequireanimpossiblydistortedreadingofthetextofthe CitizenshipClause,itisdirectlycontrarytotheprinciplesoftheFourteenthAmendment. SubjecttothejurisdictionoftheUnitedStatesisnotthesameassubjecttotheconsentof theUnitedStatesCongress.Ratherthanimplyinggovernmentalconsent,theterm jurisdictiongenerallyreferstolegalauthorityorcontrol,andthephrasesubjecttothe jurisdictionthereofmostnaturallyreferstoanyonewithintheterritoryofasovereignand obligedtoobeythatauthority.54 IftheReconstructionFramerstrulyintendedtoallowCongresstograntorwithdrawits consenttocitizenshipforcertainchildrenbornonU.S.soil,theactualwordingofthe FourteenthAmendmentwasanexceedinglyoddwayofrenderingit.Ifthosewhodraftedand ratifiedtheamendmentwantedtoleavethematterwithinthecontrolandconsentofthe nationallegislature,asopponentsofbirthrightcitizenshipcontend,itwouldhavebeenfar moresensibletodraftandratifyanamendmentthatexpresslyauthorizedCongresstoestablish citizenshiprequirementsforthosebornonU.S.soil,ratherthanexpresslyconferringcitizenship onallpersonsbornintheUnitedStatesandsubjecttothejurisdictionthereof. PuttingasidewhetheritmakesgoodpolicysenseforCongresstoconsenttobirthright citizenshipandscholars,notablyMargaretStock,55makecompellingargumentsthatending birthrightcitizenshipwouldhavedisastrouspracticalconsequencesthethresholdquestionis whetherCongressmayproperlyconsiderendingautomaticcitizenshipforpersonsborninand subjecttothejurisdictionoftheUnitedStatesatall.(Proponentsofendingbirthright citizenshipthemselvesseemtobeunsurewhethertheyneedtoamendtheConstitutionto achievetheirgoal,ormaysimplylegislatearounditthesponsorsoflegislationtoend automaticcitizenshipalternatebetweenproposingamendmentstotheConstitutionandsimply proposinglegislationthatdeniescitizenshiptochildrenbornintheUnitedStatesto undocumentedparents.)

E.g.,WEBSTERSENCYCLOPEDICUNABRIDGEDDICTIONARY1039(1996)(definingjurisdictionastheright,power,or authoritytoadministerjusticebyhearinganddeterminingcontroversiesand,morebroadly,aspower;authority; control).SeealsoDownesv.Bidwell,182U.S.244,278(1901)(concludingthatthephrasesubjecttothe jurisdictionembracesU.S.territories);UnitedStatesv.Bevans,16U.S.(3Wheat.)336,386(1818)(Marshall,C.J.) (thejurisdictionofaStateiscoextensivewithitsterritory.);AlanTauber,TheEmpireForgotten:TheApplication oftheBillofRightstoU.S.Territories,57CASEW.RES.L.REV.147,160(2006)(suggestingsubjecttothe jurisdictionreferstoareasunderU.S.militarycontrol,particularlyinviewoftheconditionofthesouthernStates aftertheendoftheCivilWar). 55 MargaretStock,BirthrightCitizenshipThePolicyArguments,33ADMIN.&REG.L.NEWS7(2007)(arguingthat, eveniftheFourteenthAmendmentcouldbeinterpretedtoallowachangefrombirthrightcitizenship,sucha changewouldbeilladvisedfromapolicyperspective,andthereisnoevidencethatchangingtherulewould reduceillegalimmigration). CACIssueBrief Page|14
54

 Theideathattheconditionsofcitizenshipcouldbemodifiedbytheconsentof Congress,asadvocatedbythosewhobelieveCongressmaylegislateawaybirthrightcitizenship forchildrenborntoundocumentedimmigrants,wouldhavebeenanathematothe ReconstructionFramers.TheFramersoftheFourteenthAmendmentbelievedthatproviding citizenshiptopersonsbornintheUnitedStateswithoutregardtoraceorcolorwasalong overduefulfillmentofthepromiseofinalienablefreedomandlibertyintheDeclarationof Independence.Inalienablerightsarenotputtoavote,andthustheFourteenthAmendment conferrednoauthorityuponcongresstorestricttheeffectofbirth,declaredbythe constitutiontoconstituteasufficientandcompleterighttocitizenship.56Ratherthanleaving ittothecapriceofCongress,theFramersoftheFourteenthAmendmentintendedto establishaconstitutionalrightthatcannotbewrestedfromanyclassofcitizens,orfromthe citizensofanyStatebymerelegislation.57ThehistoryoftheCitizenshipClausedemonstrates thattheReconstructionFramersconstitutionalizedtheconditionssufficientforcitizenship preciselytoenshrineautomaticcitizenshipregardlessofwhethernativebornchildrenwere membersofadisfavoredminoritygrouporawelcomedbandofancestors.

V.

StateEffortstoUnduetheConstitutionalGuaranteeofCitizenshipat Birth

ArizonaStateSenatorRussellPearcewhosponsoredhisStatescontroversialshowus yourpaperslaw,S.B.1070andahandfulofotherstatelegislatorsaffiliatedwithState LegislatorsforLegalImmigration(SLLI)havedraftedmodellegislationaimedatendingthe centuriesoldpracticeofgrantingautomaticcitizenshipatbirthtochildrenbornonAmerican soil.Pearcescolleague,RepresentativeJohnKavanaughhasalreadyintroducedlegislation seekingtochallengetherighttoU.S.citizenshipforchildrenborninthestatewhoseparents areundocumentedmigrantsorothernoncitizens,andlegislatorsfromatleast14otherstates intendtointroducesuchbillsin2011.AswithS.B.1070,Pearcestargetisillegalimmigration, butthistimehisfocusischildrenbornintheUnitedStatestoundocumentedimmigrants childrenwho,underthe14thAmendment,areautomaticallyU.S.citizenssimplybybeingborn hereandarethusneitherillegalnorimmigrant. ThegoalwhichPearce,andhisallieshaveunabashedlyadmittedistoforcecostly litigationinthehopesoftakingacaseonbirthrightcitizenshipallthewaytotheU.S.Supreme Court.Pearceiscertainlynostrangertothornyconstitutionallitigation:theU.S.Courtof AppealsfortheNinthCircuitiscurrentlyconsideringhisS.B.1070billafterafederaldistrict courtinArizonaenjoinedthelawbasedonthelikelihoodthatitwilleventuallybestruckdown asunconstitutional.ButsettinguptheConstitutionsguaranteeofcitizenshipatbirthfora legalshowdownisaperilousgambit,andonecontradictedbythewordsoftheConstitution andthemostfundamentalofAmericanvalues.

56 57

UnitedStatesv.WongKimArk,169U.S.649,703(1898). CONG.GLOBE,39thCong.,1stSess.1095(1866). CACIssueBrief

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 TheproposedstatelegislationattackstheConstitutionsguaranteeofcitizenshipintwo ways:first,bycreatingtwotiersofbirthcertificates,oneofwhichtheStateswouldproduce onlyforbabiesborntoU.S.citizensandlegalresidents;and,second,byaddingasecondlevel ofstatecitizenshipthatwouldbedeniedtochildrenborntononcitizens.Boththeseefforts violatetheConstitution. Asathresholdmatter,theStateslackthepowertodefinecitizenship.The14th AmendmentsCitizenshipClausewasaddedtotheConstitutionaftertheCivilWarandthe abolitionofslavery,anditunquestionablyplacesthequestionofcitizenshipoutofthehandsof theStates.TheCitizenshipClausedeclaresthatchildrenbornwithinthejurisdictionofthe UnitedStatesarecitizensoftheUnitedStatesandoftheStatewhereintheyreside.It violatestheletterandthespiritofthe14thAmendmentforstatelegislatorstotrytosneaktheir wayaroundtheconstitutionalguaranteeofcitizenshipbyaddingadistinctlevelofstate citizenshipthatdoesnotcomportwiththeCitizenshipClause. Inaddition,the14thAmendmentgivesthefederalgovernmenttheauthoritytoenforce theConstitutionsguaranteeofequalcitizenshipandensurethatStatesdonotcreatesecond classcitizens,by,forexample,issuingdifferentbirthcertificatestoU.S.bornchildrenofnon citizens.Americawillnotabideclassesorcastes,somethingthatthedraftersofthe14th AmendmentsCitizenshipClausewerekeenlyawareof,havinglivedthroughslaveryandthe CivilWar.Aftercataloguingthediscriminatoryenactmentsoftheslaveholdingstates,itwould havemadenosenseforthepostCivilWardraftersofthe14thAmendmenttohavemadethe citizenshipoffreedslavesopentoeasyrevocationifthesestatesregainedlegislativepower. Statedsimply,theanticitizenshipstatelegislatorsappeartobedeliberatelysettingupa showdownbetweenstateandfederalpowerinanareawheretheConstitutionhasdecisively takenpowerawayfromtheStatesentirely.TheConstitutionveststhefederalgovernment withsoleauthoritytoresolvequestionsofnaturalization,andtheconditionsofcitizenshiphave beenfixedinourfederalchartersinceReconstruction.

VI.

Conclusion

IftheFramersofthe14thAmendmenthadwantedCongressortheStatestobeableto definecitizenshipandestablishcastesandsubclassesofAmericans,theycouldhaveexpressly leftauthorityopentotheStatestocreatetheirowncitizenshiprules.IftheCitizenshipClause wasintendedtoconfercitizenshipaccordingtothecitizenshipstatusorallegianceofachilds parents,theReconstructionFramerscouldhavefocusedonconditionstobemetbythe parents,insteadofspecifyingconditionssufficientforachildtoautomaticallybegranted citizenship.ButthedraftersoftheCitizenshipClausewerenotpoorwordsmithsandthey chosetodononeofthosethings.Instead,theydevisedarulethatiselegantlysimpleand intentionallyfixed.

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Notonlydotheargumentsagainstbirthrightcitizenshiprequireutterdisregardforthe expressprovisionsoftheConstitution,theyencourageustoabandontheprecisereasons behindthoseenactments.Thetext,history,andprinciplesoftheCitizenshipClausemakeclear thatweshouldnottinkerwiththegeniusofthisconstitutionaldesign.

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