Senator Lindsey Graham has announced his intention to introduce legislation aimed at ending birthright citizenship in the United States. The South Carolina Republican revealed on Wednesday that he plans to bring forward the Birthright Citizenship Act of 2024, a law that would drastically change the current system by restricting who qualifies for citizenship at birth.
Currently, under the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, any child born on U.S. soil is automatically granted citizenship, regardless of their parents’ immigration status. Senator Graham’s proposed law would alter this long-standing policy, making citizenship only available to the children of American citizens, green card holders, documented immigrants, and foreign nationals serving in the U.S. military. Children born to undocumented immigrants or individuals in the U.S. on tourist visas would no longer qualify for birthright citizenship under this legislation.
Senator Graham emphasized that his goal is to address what he describes as a “magnet” for illegal immigration, asserting that the promise of automatic citizenship draws undocumented immigrants to the U.S. He argues that this reform is necessary to reduce the influx of immigrants attempting to cross the border unlawfully.
“This law is about restoring the integrity of our immigration system,” Graham stated. “We can no longer afford to allow citizenship to be handed out without any consideration of the legal status of a child’s parents. Our system is being exploited, and it’s time we put Americans first.”
The proposed bill has sparked immediate controversy, with immigration rights advocates and legal experts warning that such a move could lead to constitutional challenges. Critics argue that the Fourteenth Amendment’s language is clear in its provision of birthright citizenship, and they question whether Congress has the authority to override it through legislation.
Immigration advocacy groups have already begun mobilizing against the bill. “This proposal is fundamentally un-American,” said Maria Alvarez, a spokesperson for the National Immigration Forum. “Birthright citizenship has been a cornerstone of our nation’s identity, and ending it would create a permanent underclass of children born in the U.S. without any legal status.”
Supporters of the legislation, however, see it as a necessary step in overhauling the country’s immigration system. “The Birthright Citizenship Act is a step toward securing our borders and ensuring that American citizenship is reserved for those who follow the law,” said Mark Krikorian, executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies, a think tank advocating for stricter immigration policies.
If passed, the bill would mark one of the most significant changes to U.S. immigration law in decades. Legal experts anticipate a lengthy court battle should the legislation become law, with the Supreme Court likely to weigh in on its constitutionality.
The political implications are also significant, as the proposed bill is expected to become a hot-button issue during the upcoming 2024 election season. Several Republican presidential candidates have already voiced support for ending birthright citizenship, while Democrats are largely expected to oppose the measure, setting the stage for a partisan clash over immigration reform.
Senator Graham has not provided a specific timeline for when the bill will be introduced to the Senate, but he has indicated that it will be a priority in the coming legislative session.
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