CaliforniaBride

I just love when people spout off without thinking.

It would be 18 years before the child could file for immediate family. And about another 10 years to get their siblings over here. Surely they could find a more immediate route.

Ben

I do agree with you. But until the constitution is changed this fact will stay as it is, and changing the constitution isn't something that can be done that easily.

the 14th Amendment was a mess from the beginning. It was necessary but wasn't well thought out. I wouldn't be surprised it there is a lot of problems/challenges trying to change it just because of the history involved and the people it affected at the time.

JAJ

Only one parent has to be a permanent resident (or British citizen).

You're correct about cases where the parents obtain indefinite leave to remain (or British citizenship) later on. The child can also usually be registered as British if it cannot get the nationality of either parent (ie, is stateless).

There's an additional concession - a child born in the UK who lives in the UK until age 10 is *entitled* to be registered as a British citizen, irrespective of the child's citizenship, immigration status (or the parent's).


The UK law change took effect on 1 January 1983. No-one born before then is affected.

Australia (from 1986), Ireland (from 2005) and New Zealand (from 2006) made similar changes in their laws.


Jeremy

Jeremy

JAJ

Or a Lawful Permanent Resident (green card holder)?


Be that as it may, the law most likely cannot be changed unless the constitution is amended.



Jeremy

Leslie

When I first read the OP my initial response was going to be something like:

"Only if their parents were in this country legally." Not necessarily citizens but at least here on valid visas.

I've had the day to think about it and I've decided that is not at all fair or compassionate and doesn't really reflect how I (ideally) view America. If the child is born here he/she should automatically receive full citizenship. Anything less is punishing the child for the sins of the parents. Imagine how any of us would feel to have lived in a country our entire lives only to be kicked out (of the only home we've ever known) when it was discovered that our parent(s) were illegal? I find that approach to be cruel and inhumane.

JAJ

You may not then be aware that a child born in the UK or Australia to "illegal" parents is able to become a citizen at age 10 if he or she has lived in the country until then.

This was specifically put into the law when they removed automatic citizenship to prevent cases like this.

Jeremy

snowbunny

I disagree.

The 14th Amendment helps preserve one of the very few vestiges of a nation who once "welcomed" immigrants.

The new legislation is specifically targeted towards Mexican and Central/South American alien parents who cross the border to have their child, or who are already here illegally. If there is any reason to expect a difficult birth or an ill infant, the outcome will be better here even in the poorest hospital than back home.

We get right back to the fact that the US government continues to deliberately exploit cheap labour by not even trying to close the border and by not punishing companies that use the labour. Yet these same people want to strip a baby of citizenship. Charming.

mdyoung

That is only one part of the immigration reform bill, but it's part of the overall package to take away incentives for people to come here illegally. Laws are laws. If you are here illegally you aren't supposed to be here and goes for your kids too. See ya.

snowbunny

How about punishing the people who employ them? They wouldn't be here unless they were making money.

Leslie

That is certainly a reasonable compromise and one I could live with.... but not (ideally) the standard America should hold itself to.

Leslie

Yeah, those horrible illegals that come here to degrade and infect our perfect country..... let's fry 'em all.

mdyoung

Well maybe it could be amended to be one or both parent have been permanant residents for X number of years, but illegals no way José.

It's not my fault that the countries where these people are born are so assbackwards and corrupt that they can produce enough jobs or health care.

That "we are the world" is a bunch of BS. If it was up to me they would already be building that wall across the border and the troops in Iraq would be on our border.

Partystar

I do remember Australia coming out with a law that had something to do with, if you were born there, didn't have Australian parents & moved overseas, you couldn't become a citizen or something along those lines. That law took affect in 1986. Our British parents had us in Australia, then my Dad left, so my Mum took us back to England & raised us there. Luckily we were all born before then (1980, 1982, 1983 & 1984), so we all got in!!! Lucky for us, not so lucky for Australia!!!

Leslie

And neither is it the fault of an innocent child.

mdyoung

I believe if you read the bill there are penalties on employers too.