FROM ONE NEWS NOW/AFA

14th Amendment being misinterpreted


Chris Woodward - OneNewsNow - 8/18/2010 5:30:00 AM

A Republican lawmaker is adding his opinion to the debate over automatic citizenship for children born to illegal immigrants.

Congressman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) says the popular idea of automatic citizenship is based on a misinterpretation of the 14th Amendment. "[That] amendment was passed in 1868 right after the Civil War to give citizens' rights to the slaves," he explains. "The author of the 14th Amendment on the Senate floor actually said it did not apply to -- quote -- 'foreigners.'

Still, Smith says he does not favor changing the amendment. "I think if Congress simply passes a law saying that the United States should do what every other industrialized nation in the world does...and that is, require at least one parent to be in the country legally, that we can do it by statute," he offers.

That would be simpler than a constitutional amendment, which requires a two-thirds vote in both houses of Congress and approval in three-fourths of the state legislatures. "We don't have to go the long, tortuous process of a constitutional amendment," he argues.

Smith says changes will not be easy. He claims some Democrats remain dead-set on offering amnesty in exchange for votes. "Two-thirds of the people likely to get amnesty have no skills and no education," he offers. "That's why the labor unions want to sign them up. That's why the Democratic Party wants to sign them up."

The Texas lawmaker remains optimistic that the GOP can appeal to Hispanics and other immigrants by touting platforms like better education, economic growth, and low taxes.

Smith made his comments last week on "Focal Point with Bryan Fischer" on American Family Radio.