(Washington, DC) – Sen. Rand Paul is pushing a constitutional amendment that would end automatic birthright citizenship for every child born in the United States.
The Kentucky Republican argues that citizenship should not be granted solely because a child is born on American soil. His proposal would tie citizenship more directly to the legal status of a child’s parents.
The issue strikes at one of the most heated debates in American immigration policy. Supporters of birthright citizenship say the 14th Amendment clearly protects the practice. Opponents argue the current interpretation has been stretched too far and has encouraged abuse of the immigration system.
Paul’s amendment faces a difficult path. Changing the Constitution requires overwhelming political support in Congress and approval from the states, which is extremely unlikely in today’s divided climate.
Even so, the proposal gives Republicans another way to force a national debate over immigration, citizenship and whether the current system still serves the country’s interests.
