Jus Soli Citizenship

Jus soli citizenship is part of our shared heritage as Americans, in the continental sense of the word. That rights can only pass by bloodline, that nationality is restricted to ethnicity, is one of the feudal trappings of Old World despotism: the idea that kings should pick their people rather than the other way around. That is why almost every nation in the Western Hemisphere- yes, including Mexico- has rejected it and instead adopts, as constitutional principle, that all persons born on territory subject to their jurisdiction are citizens.

In other words, you aren't an American because of who your parents were, you're an American because you are a human being who lives in America. That is the principle embodied by the 14th Amendment's citizenship clause, and it's not going away, perennial grandstanding notwithstanding.

And it's why we're a nation where the son of an immigrant can grow up and run for President of the United States on the platform that sons of immigrants shouldn't be citizens of the United States.

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