H.J.Res.103 - Proposing an amendment to the Constitution to protect American citizenship. (119th Congress)
Summary
H.J.Res.103 proposes an amendment to the Constitution regarding the definition of American citizenship. It seeks to modify the 14th Amendment's citizenship clause by narrowing the interpretation of 'subject to the jurisdiction' of the United States. The resolution stipulates that a person born in the US can only be considered a citizen if at least one parent is a US national, a lawful permanent resident, or an alien with lawful status serving in the Armed Forces.
Expected Effects
If ratified, this amendment would alter the existing understanding of birthright citizenship in the US. It would exclude children born in the US from automatic citizenship unless their parents meet specific criteria related to legal status or military service. This could lead to significant changes in immigration law and the rights of children born to non-citizen parents in the United States.
Potential Benefits
- Could potentially reduce illegal immigration by removing the incentive of birthright citizenship.
- May strengthen the concept of citizenship by ensuring a closer connection to the country through parental status.
- Could lead to more consistent application of citizenship laws.
- May reduce strain on social services and resources if fewer individuals are automatically granted citizenship.
- Could align the US with other countries that do not grant automatic citizenship based solely on birth within the country.
Potential Disadvantages
- Could create a subclass of individuals born in the US who are not citizens, potentially leading to legal and social challenges.
- May disproportionately affect certain racial and ethnic groups.
- Could lead to increased discrimination and marginalization of non-citizen families.
- Could face significant legal challenges based on existing interpretations of the 14th Amendment.
- Could complicate the lives of families with mixed citizenship statuses.
Constitutional Alignment
This resolution directly addresses the 14th Amendment, which defines citizenship. The proposed amendment aims to redefine the 'subject to the jurisdiction' clause, which has been interpreted to include nearly all persons born within the United States. Article V of the Constitution outlines the amendment process, requiring a two-thirds vote in both houses of Congress and ratification by three-fourths of the states.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).