Earlier this week, we asked 10 Southern California members of Congress for their thoughts on the recent Supreme Court decision that re-affirmed the constitutional right to citizenship in our country for those who are born here.
We thought it would be an interesting choice of a subject for House members to weigh in on. Our part of the nation, after all, is one of the most diverse — OK, the most diverse — places not only in the United States, but on the whole planet.
Millions of people here have parents who were born in other countries than the U.S. Millions more were themselves born in other countries.
On the final day of its term this summer, the Supreme Court issued a 5-4 opinion with a clear message: Birthright citizenship is a right guaranteed by the 14th Amendment of the Constitution. The decision struck down President Donald Trump’s executive order limiting birthright citizenship, and reaffirmed many generations of legal theory and practice.
In the end, birthright citizenship as a constitutional right survived.
Sometimes, it can be hard for our Republican members of Congress to answer some of our questions, seeing as how they don’t want to get on the wrong side of President Trump, whose endorsement, or lack of it, can play a huge factor in whether they will be re-elected to their seats.
But Southern California is also the home of something that can be controversial even for those who support the Constitution’s longtime enshrinement of citizenship for the American-born: so-called birth tourism. Affluent foreigners who can afford to come here, and stay for awhile, when they are already expecting a child, sometimes do so, and then return to their home countries after giving birth, knowing that their child will, whatever their parents’ citizenship, forever be an American citizen, by right, with all the privileges that may mean.
Is that gaming the system? We also asked the members of Congress about that.
As you can see, only one Republican chose to answer. While two Democrats also did, they notably declined to share their thoughts on birth tourism.
Here are the replies from our three intrepid House members:
George Whitesides, D-Santa Clarita: “The Constitution is clear: if you’re born here, you’re a citizen. But this fight is part of a broader pattern from an administration that continues to attack the very foundations of our democracy. From questioning birthright citizenship to testing the limits of executive power, President Trump continues to threaten Americans’ constitutional rights. I’ll keep fighting to defend each and every one of the people I represent, and Congress must do its job and remain a check on the Executive Branch.”
Rep. Young Kim, R-Anaheim Hills: “I respect the Supreme Court’s decision. As an immigrant, I understand the call of America’s freedom and opportunity in a unique way. Birth tourism is an abuse of our immigration system. We must preserve the very American Dream that draws people to our nation in the first place, not reward those who exploit our laws and game the system.”
Rep. Derek Tran, D-Garden Grove: “I was born in the United States the year my refugee parents were admitted to this great country. They fled oppression and violence in communist Vietnam. It was because America welcomed my refugee parents that I was able to join the Army, start my own business, and now represent California in Congress. The Supreme Court’s decision affirms a fundamental constitutional principle that has defined the American dream for generations: every child born in the United States is a citizen of the United States. This is a pillar of our democracy enshrined in the Constitution. At the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding, we must remain vigilant in defense of our Constitution and protect the fundamental rights that keep the American dream alive.”
What do you think?