Born in the United States but may not be able to claim U.S. citizenship, why?
Given the hot topic of immigration reform, illegal immigration, Arizona's immigration law and anything immigration, some Republicans are now looking at extreme solutions to fix the "problem" such as repealing or amending the 14th Amendment of the Constitution.
The 14th Amendment is best known for its Equal Protection and Due Process Clause.
"...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."
Now, the 14th Amendment, which ensured rights to many people during the dark era of slavery, has become part of the immigration debate. Under the 14th Amendment, there is the doctrine of "jus soli" - birthright citizenship.
The 14th Amendment states, in part:
"All persons born...in the United States...are citizens of the United States..."
The argument for the repeal or amendment to birthright citizenship comes from the belief that aliens in the U.S. use and abuse this right as a solution to their immigration problems by giving birth to a child in the U.S. (a U.S. citizen child) who later at the age of 21 years old can petition the alien parents for legal permanent residency, a path to U.S. citizenship.
The debate continues...