LI group calls president's birthright citizenship plan unconstitutional

The Trump administration is considering an end to the policy of granting citizenship to babies born in the U.S. to illegal immigrant parents and that's not sitting well with one Long Island group.

News 12 Staff

Aug 22, 2019, 11:12 PM

Updated 1,702 days ago

Share:

The Trump administration is considering an end to the policy of granting citizenship to babies born in the U.S. to illegal immigrant parents and that's not sitting well with one Long Island group.
Make the Road New York advocates for immigrant rights. Members of the group say what the president is proposing is actually unconstitutional and that the 14th Amendment states any child born on U.S. soil is a citizen.
"In order to change an amendment in the Constitution you have this long process that needs to go through Congress," says Ana Flores, from Make the Road New York. "So it's not as simple as we will be at the whim of whichever president."
However, President Donald Trump says too many people are coming to the country and having children for this reason.
"We're looking at it very seriously, birthright citizenship, where you have a baby on our land, you walk over the border, you have a baby, congratulations the baby is now a U.S. citizen," says President Trump.
Abraham Arriaza, of Central Islip, was born in the U.S. to immigrant parents. He's troubled to hear what the president is considering and says this will make a lot of people upset. Unlike Arriaza, Angie Kowalchuk of Deer Park came to the U.S. from Wales. She says it took her two years to become a U.S. citizen.
"I had the immigration card and now I have the permanent alien card," says Kowalchuk. "I think it should be a waiting type of thing. I think just because you're born here you shouldn't automatically be that."
Republican Rep. Lee Zeldin tells News 12, "A discussion about our nation's birthright citizenship and any ways it is being abused should be a part of the immigration discussion, but any changes to the Constitution can't be done via executive order."
Rep. Kathleen Rice, a Democrat, says she's not surprised by the president's action.


More from News 12
2:05
Long Island native ID’d as person who set himself on fire outside Trump trial in Manhattan

Long Island native ID’d as person who set himself on fire outside Trump trial in Manhattan

1:35
Cloudy start to the weekend before sun comes through

Cloudy start to the weekend before sun comes through

0:37
Officials: Wildlife rehabilitator took raccoons into her Merrick home without required rabies license

Officials: Wildlife rehabilitator took raccoons into her Merrick home without required rabies license

1:42
FBI on alert as Jewish Long Islanders prepare to celebrate Passover

FBI on alert as Jewish Long Islanders prepare to celebrate Passover

0:22
East Northport man sentenced to 23 years in prison for sexually abusing great niece

East Northport man sentenced to 23 years in prison for sexually abusing great niece

1:44
Islandia woman turns 106, offers secret to long life

Islandia woman turns 106, offers secret to long life

2:28
Islanders owner surprises fans with free playoff tickets

Islanders owner surprises fans with free playoff tickets

0:35
Calverton man pleads guilty to attempted murder charges related to opening fire at Bellport vigil

Calverton man pleads guilty to attempted murder charges related to opening fire at Bellport vigil

1:46
Alleged Gilgo Beach serial killer’s defense attorney demands information on other ‘top suspect’

Alleged Gilgo Beach serial killer’s defense attorney demands information on other ‘top suspect’

0:51
Baldwin students learn business skills with 'Little Lenox Bakery'

Baldwin students learn business skills with 'Little Lenox Bakery'

0:35
Tesla recalling nearly 4,000 Cybertrucks because accelerator pedal can get stuck

Tesla recalling nearly 4,000 Cybertrucks because accelerator pedal can get stuck

1:46
Gov. Hochul announces harsher penalties for illegal smoke shops

Gov. Hochul announces harsher penalties for illegal smoke shops

2:10
News 12 provides tips on the do's and don'ts of recycling

News 12 provides tips on the do's and don'ts of recycling

Is your mom awesome? Long Island tell us why your Mom Rocks!

Is your mom awesome? Long Island tell us why your Mom Rocks!

Show off your team spirit! Share your photos with News 12

Show off your team spirit! Share your photos with News 12

1:55
The Real Deal: How tipping trends have changed in the tri-state area

The Real Deal: How tipping trends have changed in the tri-state area

0:13
Officials: West Babylon home destroyed by fire

Officials: West Babylon home destroyed by fire

0:47
Cafe 217 provides students with autism chance for work experience at East Rockaway HS

Cafe 217 provides students with autism chance for work experience at East Rockaway HS

0:42
Community raises $12,000 for workers of Merrick bar closed due to fire

Community raises $12,000 for workers of Merrick bar closed due to fire

0:23
Police: Hempstead man stole parking meters near Jericho Turnpike and Roslyn Road

Police: Hempstead man stole parking meters near Jericho Turnpike and Roslyn Road