Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) says if he’s elected president, he’ll end the guarantee of citizenship to anyone born in the United States, reports Business Insider.
Birthright citizenship has been the law of the land since Wong Kim Ark won his case in the U.S. Supreme Court on March 28, 1898.
“Dangling the prize of citizenship to the future offspring of illegal immigrants is a major driver of illegal migration,” DeSantis said. “It is also inconsistent with the original understanding of 14th Amendment, and we will force the courts and Congress to finally address this failed policy.”
The Hill reports Donald Trump also made the same pledge while still president in 2018 and repeated that pledge last month as a candidate for president.
It also reports that most constitutional experts believe the president does not have the authority to end birthright citizenship because its part of the constitution in the 14th amendment.
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DeSantis argues the current law is “inconsistent with the original understanding of the 14th amendment.
Related: How Wong Kim Ark changed the face of America 125 years ago
“It will be a day one priority and you’re going to see a big change very, very quickly,” said DeSantis.
Wong challenged a court ruling that denied Chinese immigrants the right to become naturalized citizens. He was born in 1873 in the city of San Francisco. His family moved back to China in 1890, but when he tried to return to the United States in 1895, immigration officials denied him entry despite Wong having proof of citizenship.
The Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association hired attorney Thomas Riordan on Wong’s behalf who cited the 1894 Look Tin Sing case which confirmed that citizenship is automatically granted to all children born in the U.S.
He also cited the 14th amendment that grants citizenship to all children “by right of soil.” Wong won the case which was appealed by the Justice Department to the U.S. Supreme Court.
The justices voted 6 – 2 in favor of Wong.
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