Steve King Opens New Congress By Unconstitutionally Targeting ‘Anchor Babies’

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Steve King Opens New Congress By Unconstitutionally Targeting ‘Anchor Babies’

January 7th, 2013 4:08 pm Henry Decker

Right-wing representative Steve King (R-IA) is kicking off 2013 with the same type of gesture that helped sink the Republican Party in 2012: an unnecessary, unconstitutional slap in the face to Latinos.

On Thursday, King introduced a bill that would end the practice of birthright citizenship, which makes any child born in the United States a citizen regardless of their parents’ nationality. According to King, this principle — which is clearly protected by the 14th Amendment of the Constitution, giving King’s bill no chance of becoming law — is a “magnet for illegal immigration.”

“We need a common-sense solution to fix the flawed interpretation of the Constitution’s citizenship clause, and ‘The Birthright Citizenship Act of 2013′ does just that,” King said in a statement. “The current practice of extending U.S. citizenship to hundreds of thousands of ‘anchor babies’ must end because it creates a magnet for illegal immigration into our country. Now is the time to ensure that the laws in this country do not encourage law breaking.”

King’s bill has 13 co-sponsors, including controversial Texas representative Louie Gohmert. While King wants to stop “anchor babies” from theoretically making it easier for their undocumented parents to stay in the country, Gohmert believes that the infants have a much more nefarious goal; the congressman has long warned that “terror babies” pose a grave threat to American national security.

The “Birthright Citizenship Act of 2013″ is far from King’s first unprovoked attack against immigrants; in the past he has compared Latino immigrants to dogs, beans, and corn, among other startling statements that helped drive Latino voters away from the Republican Party in record-breaking numbers in the 2012 election.

King also introduced two other bills to kick off the new Congress: H.J. Res 16, to repeal the 16th Amendment, and H.R. 132, to repeal the Affordable Care Act. Overall, King’s first week of the new year provides a handy preview of the 113th Congress: expect more bills that won’t help the party politically, and won’t ever become laws.

Photo credit: Associated Press

H/t ThinkProgress

Tags: anchor babies, Congress, House of Representatives, Immigration, Latinos, steve king, Tea Party, terror babies

TZToronto

He might get some support for repealing the 16th Amendment, but everything else is a non-starter. And given the U.S.’s need for tax revenue, I don’t see repeal of the 16th Amendment actually going anywhere. Without direct taxation of income, the U.S. would have to go back to the having the states pay for everything, based on population. So the populous blue states would end up paying a bundle while the less populous red states would get a bargain. Get ready for state income taxes to soar through the roof.

Sand_Cat

Well, it’s already pretty close to that now.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_B6RROC4IUESHT322QS5VJVPYRM Lynda

Why does this man hate the Constitution of the United States? The position of the GOP regarding the Constitution has been for decades that we must follow original intent. What happened to that line of reason in this case? If he has changed his mind to realize that the Constitution is a living document subject to change…bully for him, but if it just racism forget it pal.

Sand_Cat

All of the Republicans have hated the Bill of Rights – with the exception of the Second Amendment- for years, and it’s clear they also hate the overwhelming majority of the people who live here. It shouldn’t be a surprise that one of them is like that.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Daniel-Jones/827014412 Daniel Jones

The problem with their idea of original intent is that they basically want to restore slavery but don’t have the guts to outright say it.
commserver

The 16th Admendment isn’t in the original Constitution. So what is the original intent?

Of course it can be said that the Revolutionary War was fought for Taxes.

nobsartist

Tar and feathers.
foolsdance

I love it – another nail in the coffin of the GOP. Keep it up fools!
http://profile.yahoo.com/627DDVT7IJDNRTMDU4GXMGZBJQ Joseph

The so called founders of this nation were all foreigners by birth. What does this fact make of this Right -Wing idiot?

nobsartist

How about a jackass?
13observer

But remember, they made laws also and LEGAL immigration has a process that ALL must follow! No exceptions! Birthrights are not gained by an “illegal act” the same reason drug dealers are not permitted to keep ill gotten gains as a result of illegal activity. So, anchor babies should be sold to the highest bidder, or…………….. the parents can leave quietly back to their home country. Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh you thought I was going to say “mexico” didn’t you? Ok yes, GET YOUR FUCKING ASS BACK TO MEXICO!!! So now am I a “RACIST” yet? That is the qualifier isn’t it??? Being someone that adheres to the “RULE OF LAW”?

maquih

The current law says that you cannot gain immigration status from your children. I’ve worked on many cases myself where the parents were deported because they entered the country without inspection and the children who were born here stayed as US citizens.

Also, the mayflower pilgrims all came here in violation of Native American customs and British laws.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Jerry-Vazquez/100000832964819 Jerry Vazquez

Ulyses Grant
Many Northerners believed that Polk, a Southerner, was trying to gain land for the slaveholding South. Other Americans simply thought it was wrong to use war to take land from Mexico. Among those was Second Lieutenant Ulysses S. Grant .He would later call the war “one of the most unjust ever waged by a stronger against a weaker nation. It was an instance of a republic following the bad example of European monarchies, in not considering justice in their desire to acquire additional territory.”

13observer

Too bad, FUCK MEXICO!

Gambler2

How do you figure that all founders were all foreigners by birth?

http://www.facebook.com/people/Daniel-Jones/827014412 Daniel Jones

This plus Birther nonsense shows a far darker agenda, trying to not only kick President Obama out of office, but out of the country altogether.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Daniel-Jones/827014412 Daniel Jones

I just saw the last paragraph, they are STILL trying to repeal a law they’ve failed to ditch forty-one times already?
Eleanore Whitaker

The GOP uses the Constitution only when it suits their “party principles.” In reality, you have a bunch of GOP extremists who are clones of the same sperm donor…Grover Norquist. Don’t fool yourselves that “anchor babies” were the real bottom line target. If you are not a white, male, middle aged relic college preppie with ties to big money, you are not welcome in the GOP. Look at the women they only barely tolerate as their “Harpies in Chief” …Palin, a Tundra Tootsie, and Bachmann, a dual citzen of the US and Switzerland where McHubby keeps his tax free bank accounts.

Notice how the best GOP women left the party? Kaye Bailey Hutchinson, Olympia Snowe and I’d bet anything any day now Susan Collins will be leaving.

If you don’t get what the GOP is selling, it’s that they are bucking for white male supremacy. Don’t believe it? Who then are the most visible faces of the GOP? Ryan? Cantor? Issa? Cornyn? McConnell? Boehner? These are the big he-men of the GOP with their mouths racing at top speed to sink Main Street Americans while their hands are always out for more of our tax dollars.
stcroixcarp

What is wrong with the people of Texas that they elected Gohmert? I hope this guy can’t produce any anchor babies. What a drag on the human gene pool.

lana ward

You want them here? THEN YOU SUPPORT THEM!!

Snowbeard

Okay lets talk about suppoort. Are you aware that the red states use up most of the entitlement funds of America, while the blue states pay the most and receive the least? It would seem we’re already supporting you.

cats33

I’m not a dem. I don’t get anything from the gov. except more money taken out of my checks to support illegals

DurdyDawg

Illegals or wars and political welfare recipients (yes, we pay these stooges’ salaries with benefits) so, which ones are you most happy to support, people or institutions? The taxes have got to be spent on something and the politicians and war mongers have taken the biggest slice so far.. You act as if all Mexicans are illegals, are lazy welfare moochers.. How naive and ill informed AND quite inhuman.. in other words, a typical pub.

13observer

How is the argument for “anchor babies” in the Constitution different than GUN RIGHTS for people that DON’T break our laws? Answer that you SLEEZY XENOPHOBIC GUN GRABBING DEMOCRATS!!!! And get Gabby “Hays” Giffords ass out of Sandy Hook. The fucking pity party is over!!!!!! It is funny how democrats use their famous “DOUBLE STANDARD” whenever it suits their cause!!!!! Steve King is trying to prevent our “greatgrandchildren” from having to pay off Odumba’s debt because of what illegal immigration costs this country and the “brown scurge” must stop or we will be no better off than mexico!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WAKE UP AND SMELL THE FUCKING COFFEE!!! THE DEMS ARE DONE IN 2014!!!!! GOOD BYE SELLOUTS.

http://www.facebook.com/people/Jim-Myers/100001512942781 Jim Myers

Replying to 13observer -

I LOVE IDIOTIC RANTS LIKE THIS!!!!

Where else can I get such hilarious comedy without commercials?

lana ward

BANG!! BANG!!

http://profile.yahoo.com/ZJ5BBSQIGTUMERPZFALES6HQNY Bill

What a typical response from a person not grounded in any reality. Do you walk upright or are your knuckles scraping the ground. Try puting together more than one idiotic sentence at a time so you don’t waste too much of our time.

cats33

You must not know what guestion that response was to. Ya think?

http://profile.yahoo.com/XPL7LVHHKZXB3BKEJZNTKRMBYY Susan

Does that mean you will shoot anyone who disagrees with you?

13observer

The “rants” come as a result of the left’s stupidity! There will be NO meaningful legislation on gun control passed and you know it. Senator Diane Frankenstien loaded her so-called “assault weapons ban” with so much bullshit, it hasn’t the least chance of passing! Besides, you can’t give rights to illegal aliens and take them from law abidding LEGAL citizens!

lana ward

My son was murdered during a home invasion (his home) I wish to God everyday, he had had a gun

13observer

I wish he had as well. I grieve your loss.

13observer

Just google Pierce Morgan to watch the ass kicking he got last night from Alex Jones on gun control. GOOD STUFF!!!! DEPORT HIS ASS NOW! Maybe after last night he will “self deport”!

lana ward

I watched that last night too. Alex Jones was pissed. I was waiting for him to smack Morgan out of his chair. LOL!! I wish Repubilcans would stand up to the communists (dems) like that!!!!

13observer

AMEN, can I still make religious remarks, or did we loose those rights too?

lana ward

Make your religious remarks now because princess omuslim is in the process of taking those away from us too!!

http://profile.yahoo.com/XPL7LVHHKZXB3BKEJZNTKRMBYY Susan

On the contrary, Alex Jones made the gun nuts look like raving lunatics.

13observer

Sure he did……………….to gun grabbers ONLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

blyvl

From the top of my head, the 14th. amendment says that babies who are born in the U.S. “and subject to the jurisdiction” of the U.S. are citizens. There is some discussion as to whether or not babies born to parents who are illegally in the U.S. and who may have only been here for a very short period of time are “subject to the jurisdiction” of the U.S.

It’s well known that there are pregnant women from various countries around the world who come here for the sole purpose of giving birth to a U.S. citizen child. There are “birth tourism” businesses in a number of countries, South Korea, in particular, among others.

To me, it’s perfectly proper for this country to decide who it wants to given citizenship to. At the least, the parents should have demonstrated some attachment or obligation to the U.S. The great majority of parents of “anchor babies” come here for purely economic reasons, not to participate in and share “the American dream”. Not all, but most, see the U.S. as a place to make money until they can return to “their country”.
lambypie

You have got to ask yourselves what planet do they come from? Oh that would make them illegal aliens right? You go get um guys! Stupid is as stupid does!
http://profile.yahoo.com/JMT6C3LHLJDD4RX4NB4KY5ICAE gargray

They sound like the Hitler regime.

lana ward

You want them here? Then you support them. America can barely take care of her own

http://www.facebook.com/wendy.perezdenietolis Wendy Perez Denietolis

What joy 2014 will bring. I can’t wait. Buying front-row seats for the big event.
http://profile.yahoo.com/JWPCDWWOQJAS5UTZVN5CE3MZLU PamelaT

Are these GOPs high….they should be smoking pot as they waste our money preparing bills the violate the constitution. This will go no where but to the courts as unconstitutional…so much like Arizona.

lana ward

omuslim is the one that wants to get rid of the Constitution (and the dems) you REAL stupid idiot!!

http://profile.yahoo.com/ZJ5BBSQIGTUMERPZFALES6HQNY Bill

Lana you are (not your) one of the most ignorant and simple person I have seen write on this website. You keep saying the same lie over and over. Pleas provide an example (a real one not something rolling around your empty head).

cats33

Obama does hate the Constitution and wants to get rid of it

m8lsem

Kwai, kwai nidôbak! Nia ai Alnôbastoni! Etke ‘íinim ‘iníit híiwes Niimíipuuki …
I am still waiting for these right-wing nuts with their WASPs-are- best thinking to learn the Native American language of their place of residence in order to make their own families’ immigration consistent with the philosophy they preach. And they must be sure to forget (and don’t go learn!) any part of the language of their families’ former homelands.

Happily I expect this proposition will go nowhere except to teach Latinos that the Repugnican Party is hostile to their entire selves.

http://profile.yahoo.com/ZJ5BBSQIGTUMERPZFALES6HQNY Bill

Excellent point our ancestors came to this country uninvited by the people living here so one could claim we are all illegal aliens.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1268598892 James Bowen

This is the same guy who tried to get the congres to cut the wages for workers in the King family’s construction business when they are building government funded projects in his congressional district.
Mike Tierney

At least he has recognized that the Constitution has some issues that were not anticipated in 1776. So why not approach the Second Amendment in stead of the Fourteenth? Does he think that the boys realized that every home could have an AR15 or were they thinking next generation flint lock? I don’t think the Constitution was ever written with 2013 in mind. But, like religions that won’t accept change, we should not hide behind flaws in the Constitution and refuse to acknowledge we live in a different world than they did.
http://www.facebook.com/zac.black.121 Zac Black

I have rarely seen clearer evidence that some of those sent to lead us are outright lunatics.
Adilet

Are we talking legal or illegal immigration. I support legal, sustainable immigration.

http://www.facebook.com/dominick.vila.1 Dominick Vila

Neither. King is talking about folks born in the USA, who happen to be Latinos. He is, in effect, calling for a Ammendment to the Constitution to change the right of certain persons born in the USA to be natural born citizens if their parents, or one of their parents, was here illegally.
Interestingly, the focus on this issue comes at a time when the influx of illegal immigrants is almost zero as a result of the Great Recession, economic improvements in Mexico, and a low fertility rate South of the border that is producing labor shortages. Add record deportations to that and it is not too difficult to understand why they are no longer coming and why so many are leaving voluntarily.
It will not be long before the agri-business is in trouble as a result of labor shortages. When that happens they will have to double salaries and offer benefits to attract American workers, which will result in out of control inflation in the USA. Hopefully people understand the consequences of their actions…

ococoob

Good, keep alienating and talking like an ass and your ass will get booted out in 2014!
mah101

What happened to “jobs”?
mah101

In reply to blyvl:

It is perfectly proper for the country to decide who it wants to give citizenship to. In fact, we have ALREADY decided – it’s in the Constitution.

I, for one, can’t think of any legitimate reason, or pressing need, to revisit that decision at this point. How about we spend our time on dealing with REAL problems instead of GOP paranoia?
http://www.facebook.com/people/Jim-Myers/100001512942781 Jim Myers

Does Senator King also advocate repeal of the second amendment??
http://www.facebook.com/dominick.vila.1 Dominick Vila

Talking about the Constitution getting on the way of racist goals! I cannot believe an elected official, who swore to uphold the Constitution, is proposing to eliminate one of its most fundamental rights: the right to citizenship for people born in this country, regardless of ethnicity, religion, gender, age, political affiliation, sexual orientation, or who our parents were.
Mr. King should be impeached for proposing to destroy the Constitution he swore to uphold!!! After that, he can apply for full membership in the White Supremacist movement, the Neo-Nazis or what is left of the KKK.

lana ward

Princess omuslim is planning right now how to do away with the whole Constitution. So what should we do with him????

oldtack

Lana Lana Lana – poor deluded Lana. Someday – maybe!

lana ward

Hi oldtrack!! I want to thank you again!! I see robert wasn’t very happy with you. Sorry about that.
jointerjohn

Have you noticed how Lana’s messages ALL reference the President? Every sentence, whether we are discussing anything to do with him or not! Obsession in it’s clearest form I’d say, and very sad. She just can’t get him off her mind.

http://profile.yahoo.com/ZJ5BBSQIGTUMERPZFALES6HQNY Bill

And she is one of the right wing idiots that thinks that bastardizing the President’s name somehow shows creativity or intelligence. To the contrary she is only displaying how juvenile and uncreative she is. She never offer proof of anything, she just makes wild claims.

http://profile.yahoo.com/AABISMDT6WANTMYBMKWLKWEVZI Kevin

The law should be that any child born in the US is entitled to be a citizen as long as ONE of the parents is a legal resident/citizen here.

There is a similar issue happening in Hong Kong right now, where they have the same “birthright citizenship” law there. The issue is that mainland Chinese people are going to Hong Kong to give birth, so that their child is entitled to a “Hong Kong citizen” status. These people would leech off the taxpayers on all gov’t assistance. If their child has medical problems, they would just abandon the child in Hong Kong. Who pays for this? The taxpayers.

I’m not against immigrants. I’m an immigrant myself and this country has provided me with a lot of opportunities. I am against ILLEGAL immigrants. They need to come here the legal way, just like how my family did it 20 years ago.

maquih

The problem with Mr. King’s proposal is that it punishes the children who are innocent. A child cannot control where he is born. That is why the “DREAM” act has been gaining a lot of popularity. The parents can and will be deported, (if they are in violation of immigration law), but the children, as US citizens, can stay or leave with their parents.

In other words, there’s no such thing as “anchor babies”. In fact, if you are undocumented, it is easier to hide without children. Having babies just makes it more likely to get caught an deported.

maquih

There’s no such thing as illegal immigrants, just like there’s no such thing as illegal drivers or illegal taxpayers, or illegal violent criminal. Some people violate the immigration laws, they are not illegal people. They are human beings, people with rights and it is offensive for you to suggest otherwise.

oldtack

Agreed – they are in this country illegaly but they themselves are certainly not illegal. Bad verb usage.

Without meaning to offend anyone this wordage reminds me of part of a Hispanic Comedian’s routine. He would relate his family’s rise in stature here in the USA.
He said “when my Grandfather came here he was just a wetback . My Dad rose up to become an Illegal Alien . But I have risen further I am now an Undocumented Resident. Isn’t this Country Great. It was good for a laugh.
I think Undocumented Resident is more appropriate.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_TGA742Z5H7ZZBJB7RWSKMJPMDM keeping it real

Both RepugNUTcan Governors of Lousiana Jindal and South Carolina Nimrata Kaur Randhawa, better known as Nikki Haley are both anchor babies. Both their parents came to America so their children would be born in America. Also, the Cuban RepugNUTcan Senator from Florida’s parents came to America so that he would be born here. You never hear those crazy RepugNUTcan politicians saying that the people named above are anchor babies and should leave. RepugNUTcans are such hypocrites!
Southlib1

Don’t these GD FOOLS ever read the Constitution they pledge to protect and defend????????? Our financial situation is a huge steaming pile of elephant crap and this idiot wants to introduce an unconstitutional bill instead of working on fixing something that IS broken ????? Come on, the people of Iowa deserve better than to be represented by this wingnut. I have a word for this dorkhead, “RECALL!”
oldtack

It appears that friend Robert has some serious anger issues.
barneybolt12

Rep. King gives true meaning of ( I.O.W.A. Idiot out walking around) this also includes Michelle Bachman who was also born there.
oldtack

It’s called fixation. And that’s not good. She can communicate but most of the time she gets so fixated she fails to convey her message. Except for this I think she basically is a pretty good person.
http://twitter.com/LostAnarchist S-3

Here’s hoping the ending remarks of this article ring true – these fucks need to be shot down and shot to death, if anything!
http://profile.yahoo.com/RFEPMKNCBVGJYV2X7LBNDGRUEY William

Where does the GOP find these idiots?
Joey Tranchina

Louis Gohmert represents the pinnacle of Southern inbreeding.
Mcflyer54

Wonder what “anchor baby” Marco Rubio thinks of this plan?
http://twitter.com/GargrayGary Gary Graves

It is in possible to fix idiots, They have a one track mind and thinking is imposable for them.

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