The Hill:
Sens. Paul, Vitter introduce citizenship resolution
Two Republican senators are introducing a resolution that would end the constitutional right to citizenship that comes with being born on U.S. soil.
Rand Paul (Ky.) and David Vitter (La.) are introducing a resolution this week that would amend the Constitution so that a person born in the United States could only become an American citizen if one or more of his or her parents is an legal citizen, legal immigrant, or member of the armed forces, according to a joint press release Thursday.
And their rationale, according to Paul?
"Citizenship is a privilege, and only those who respect our immigration laws should be allowed to enjoy its benefits," Paul said. "This legislation makes it necessary that everyone follow the rules, and goes through same process to become a U.S. citizen."
Actually, if you're born in the United States, U.S. citizenship is a fundamental constitutional right. It's not a "privilege" earned by following "the rules." It's not something that depends on who your parents are. And it's not something that can be taken away through the actions of anybody but yourself.
As the Declaration of Independence begins:
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
Change that and you've changed the fundamental nature of who we are as a nation.