English 100 - Moral Values

Kayla Hibbs

Professor Remsburg-Shiroishi

English 100

13 April 2017

Essay 4

The debate over the moral values that lie within birthright citizenships is one that has been discussed for centuries. Some people argue that people in other countries work their whole lives to try and get something that’s handed to another person at birth- because they got lucky. On the other hand, others may say that it is a “birth right” to be a citizen of the country you were born in. I personally believe that birthright citizenships are fair and the US should continue to allow anyone born in our country, to be a citizen.

Chavez makes an argument that repealing birthright citizenships would “fundamentally change what it means to be an American.’ (The Case for Birthright Citizenship) This statement couldn’t have been better well-said. People have fought to be a part of our country and so many people come to the US to get their citizenships to allow their future children to have a better life. Before immigration was regulated, anyone was allowed to be a citizen and taking away birthright citizenship would just make newborn babies illegal immigrants and they would spend their whole childhood trying to gain citizenships when they should be focusing on their education. Children are our future generations and we have to ensure they have equal opportunity and an education in order for our country to grow and better itself.

Birthright citizenships are protected under the 14th Amendment and to change that the Supreme Court would have to have a better argument than claiming it’s unfair to those who dream of being citizens of the US. A lot of people want to take away birthright citizenship to those born under illegal immigrants, but that would be unethical and against the values of an American. We should be honored that people are willing to give up so much to give their children a better future in our country. This would also isolate Mexicans because they have the highest amount of illegal immigrants in the US. (The Case for Birthright Citizenship) The American values demonstrate equality and acceptance of every gender, ethnicity, religion, and individual- to alienate one ethnicity would separate and destroy our core beliefs as a country.

Will claims that the 14th amendment was “misinterpreted.” (An Argument to be Made About Immigrant Babies and Citizenship) Anyone could claim that any part of the constitution is misinterpreted due to the time frame between when it was written to the present. But who are we to re-interpret any part of the constitution? Our land was discovered and built on the idea that anyone could come here to be anything they dreamt to be. All of our founding fathers were immigrants so for Will to make the claim that 14th Amendment doesn’t apply to children of immigrants is irrelevant. To take away birthright citizenship from anyone would put this country in a divide. The diversity that is instilled in the American culture is one of the main reasons behind our success. The ability to provide opportunity to so many people should never be looked at in a negative light.