Speech #1050075916

The Supreme Court did not consider application of the citizenship clause of the 14th amendment to children born in the United States to legallyresidential aliens until 30 years after the amendment was ratified. The court ruled that children born in the United States to parents who were lawfully admitted for permanent residence should receive automatic citizenship. But while the Supreme Court has consistently held that the citizenship clause of the 14th amendment applies to children born to legal immigrants. it has never held that this principle extends to children born here to illegal alien parents. Because of the adverse effects of our present policy. it should be changed. Those effects include smugglers bringing pregnant women into this country to give birth only because their children will become citizens. Approximately 16 percent of all the births taking place in California each year are to illegal alien mothers. The county of Los Angeles estimates that almost 200.000 U.S. citizen children of illegal alien parents living in Los Angeles are collecting $461 million per year in AFDC benefits. And an estimated 10 percent of total education costs to school districts in Los Angeles County are attributable to primary and secondary education for citizen children of illegal aliens. Apart from the costs. isnt citizenship being devalued when it is given away as a result of illegal behavior? I support H.R. 7. legislation introduced by Representative BRIAN BILBRAY of California. because it would do a great deal to discourage illegal aliens from entering the United States. And it would make U.S. policy consistent with the vast majority of countries around the world.