General Discussion

If birthright citizenship is a constitutional right, I believe Congress neither needs to affirm it nor can abridge it in the manner you’d like to see. If we are going down this road, a Constitutional Amendment is required. The amendment process, from proposal to ratification, requires a degree of debate and agreement that helps ensure the President or Congress can’t change its contents without going to the people of the states. How far the Supreme Court can stretch its interpretive duties and powers where its political goals align with the other branches is a different question I hope is answered in part by a 9-0 decision here. I’m not saying you shouldn’t advocate for the end or modification of birthright citizenship, but like other Constitutional rights, I’m not in favor of attempts to limit them through a bureaucratic process that is most likely unconstitutional. Depending on the Court’s decision and Trump’s response, this may become a hot button issue, so I welcome debate about this, especially from those on the left that support a change as I feel it counterproductive to both party unity and individual understanding to require we all agree on every issue.