OPINION:
Birthright citizenship, established by the 14th Amendment to our Constitution, has outlived its utility (“‘Dramatic departure’: Republicans challenge birthright citizenship for babies of illegal immigrants,” Web. March 10).
The original purpose was to grant former slaves citizenship in the country they had served, not to accommodate selfish motives of birthright tourists and undocumented migrants.
The numbers are daunting, with hundreds of thousands of such births annually. Upon reaching the age of majority, “anchor babies” under the present law can bring their extended families here to obtain permanent residency/citizenship and qualify for our entitlement programs, despite not having paid into them.
This issue is consequential and is proper fodder for discussion.
PAUL BLOUSTEIN
Cincinnati, Ohio
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