http://www.personalliberty.com/conservative-politics/liberty/state-legislators-propose-crackdown-on-birthright-citizenship-800328020/?eiid=&rmid=2011_01_10_PLA_[PIZ0211A]&rrid=306930734
State lawmakers are pushing for the Supreme Court to re-evaluate what they believe is an "erroneous" interpretation of the 14th Amendment of the Constitution.
According to The Associated Press, Republican leaders from several states unveiled their proposals during a news conference at the National Press Club on Jan. 5. The legislation aims to clarify the automatic citizenship law, which currently grants legal status to children of illegal immigrants who are born in the United States.
The draft bill, which was presented by members of State Legislators for Legal Immigration, would grant states the authority to bestow citizenship on individuals who meet the state's definition of a U.S. citizen — which would include children who have at least one parent who has no allegiance to a foreign country.
The legislation would also enact a compact between states that requires the issuing of two types of birth certificates: One for natural-born U.S. citizens and one for those individuals whom the state does not consider a citizen.
"We want to have our day in court," said Arizona State Representative John Kavanagh (R-Fountain Hills), quoted by the news provider. "All we're asking for is for these bills to prompt the Supreme Court to re-evaluate what we believe is an erroneous interpretation of the 14th Amendment."
Benjamin Johnson, the executive director of the American Immigration Council, said the proposals are an "embarrassing" attempt to reform immigration laws. Johnson added that denying citizenship to certain children would not decrease illegal immigration, but would instead increase the number of citizens without legal documentation.
Topic: State Legislators Propose Crackdown On Birthright Citizenship (Read 1460 times)