It is fascinating to see the Republican Party tie itself into knots over the issue of Florida Senator Marco Rubio's citizenship.
Obviously, the man wants to run for higher office, and obviously many in the Republican Party would like him to. But the Republicans have a problem. For years they have allowed a segment of their party to attack the 14th amendment to the Constitution. This amendment, among other things, clearly defines a citizen as someone born in the United States regardless of the status of their parents.
Those who hate immigrants, and more importantly fear Latinos, have attacked this amendment saying that is not its intent, not clearly written, blah blah blah.... In short they want to deny citizenship to anyone born of immigrant parents here in the US. This attack is patently and obviously anti-Latino.
And then along comes Marco Rubio. A man whose parents were not refugees as he claimed, but immigrants coming to America. Immigrants who came like so many others, seeking economic opportunity in our land of freedom. Immigrants who were not citizens when he was born here.
Oh! How the wheel turns for the Republican Party.
Normally, I would be incensed at these race-based attacks aimed at a man like Marco Rubio, son of immigrants. Normally, but not now. You see, Marco forgot where he came from.
Marco Rubio, son of immigrants, opposes the DREAM act, a bill that would allow children who have lived almost their whole lives here to obtain citizenship. Marco Rubio, son of immigrants, is in favor of English only laws. Marco Rubio, son of immigrants, opposed Sonia Sotomayor. Marco Rubio, son of immigrants, opposes citizenship for the undocumented here in the US.
Marco Rubio, son of immigrants, forgot where he came from. He turned his back on the experience of millions of families like his - immigrants.
Marco Rubio, when he got so high up the mountain, instead of helping the next one up, started to kick people down.
I don't know what he and so many like him don't understand about American politics. They think that opposition to immigration reform can somehow help them in politics. In some instances they may be right. Some states are hard places for immigrants, just look at the grotesque injustices playing out in Alabama right now.
But nationally? You want to win nationally? You can't do it on the backs of immigrants.
A recent poll by Latino Decisions showed what we in the Latino community always knew. Latinos in America might say they care more about jobs and schools, but they vote immigration politics. Every time.
For us, it isn't about legal status, it's about pride. It's about recognition. It's about respect. We, all of us, native born, Puerto Rican, Colombian, Ecuadorean on and on. All of us Latinos, know what the anti-immigrants think.
They say illegal, they mean Latino. It's that simple.
We know it, and we are watching, and we are counting who stand with us and who does not.
Even if they are the sons of immigrants themselves.
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Section 1. All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.
Section 5. The Congress shall have power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article.
This says Congress can codify what "subject to the jurisdiction thereof" actually means. The Amendment Author clearly stated that Section 1 was not intended to give Citizenship to everyone. Since the Amendment took effect U.S. Court Stare Decisis established an "owe allegiance too" test for bestowing birthright Citizenship.
The Wong Kim Ark case decided what this means for the children of LEGEL Immigrants. But since Congress created the possibility of Illegal Immigration in the early 1900’s they have remained silent on how Illegal Immigration fits into the "owe allegiance too" test.
The government operating assumption has been that the children of Illegal Immigrants are automatically Citizens. But this has no supporting court precedent or Congressional mandate. Plyler v. Doe only refers to the ability of Congress to define the correct interpretation. In Katzenbach v. Morgan the Supreme Court said: “Section 5 of the Fourteenth Amendment is a positive grant of legislative power authorizing Congress to exercise its discretion in determining the need for and nature of legislation to secure Fourteenth Amendment guarantees.”
In fact, clarification of what “subject to the jurisdiction thereof” for the children of Illegal Immigrants only needs an Act of Congress.
Examples: there are gays who don't like homosexuals, African Americans that don't like other *blacks* and so forth.
The one thing most Latino cultures share with African Americans is the elevation of "European" culture and background over Indian or Black races.
I was born of immigrant parents in Alaska. Blonde-haired and blue-eyed, I am not (nor would I ever be!) considered an "anchor baby." My BiL is a whole different story...