Dr. Moses touched on some very thorny issues in his recent column (No One Asked Me But…: Progress, September 1, 2010).
The issue of children born in this country, of a mother who is not a citizen is not a new one. There were proposals made during the drafting of our National Constitution, and for years following.
The Naturalization Act of 1795 says only that foreign-born children of American parents “shall be considered as citizens of the United States.”
The 14th Amendment was intended to settle the issue. It has not.
If we look at the “Original intent” of the 14th Amendment to our Constitution, I believe the language of the Naturalization Act of 1795 will be upheld.
Unfortunately, our courts no longer look at “Original Intent”, but, instead, look at how they can change our nation without changing the Constitution.
Jim Scanlon
New Braunfels, Texas
