Cooperative Conversation To Define Citizen and Citizenship

(Editor's note about the author: T.O. Illustratio is a free lance writer and observer of the interaction of personalities in everyday life. The author seeks to inspire readers to look within themselves to see how much good they can do in this world when a definitive purpose in life is clear. This column is reprinted with permission from the author.)

As I begin this written commentary, I believe to be most fair and principled in the event this article is viewed by elected members of the United States Congress, a clarification should be made up front. This discussion is centered around an effort to define citizen and citizenship. I'm writing it in a style likely unfamiliar to most sitting members of that elected body.

I'm writing in a format of calm discussion with both sides listening clearly to the other side as all involved seek to find common ground. I'm suggesting that resolution to debates can be reached that serve the greater good, rather than the party line or the kickback stream.

I'll also combine characteristics of both citizen and citizenship in noun and verb form. If done correctly my former English teacher should be proud. Depending on the website in which this passage appears, you might see the differing opinions in color format. Not all webmasters like to use different colors in their content.

Define Citizen and Citizenship

Strictly speaking in proper English doctrine, both words are nouns. But to accurately define citizen and citizenship, verbs are required. And some Latin is also part of this discussion. "Jus Soli" might be new to some reading this page, but it is front and center in a huge debate about defining citizens and citizenship.

"The 14th Amendment to the Constitution grants citizenship to any person born in the United States. The concept of Jus Soli which means, 'right of the soil' has been the benchmark of that definition of citizenship. Exceptions being children born to foreign diplomats and children born to hostile invaders.

To go against such historical precedent creates a vacuum of 'stateless children' who are not citizens of any nation. Citizens are granted the right to vote, to hold public office, and are protected at least in theory by the laws of the land.

Birthright citizenship more effectively develops integration into society and opens doors to people seeking a better life as is the call on the plaque in our Statue of Liberty. Indeed, it was a foundational point in our national development."

"The Constitution is a living, breathing document and therefore needs revisions over time. Jus Soli is one such area that needs another look. Granting citizenship to any child born within our borders dilutes the value of citizenship in America. It encourages illegal entry with the sole purpose to gain citizenship for children of parents who have no intention of remaining in our country or of ever being contributing members of society.

Your own words, 'children born to hostile invaders' is a prime example of the flaw of Jus Soli. Being a citizen requires allegiance to our nation. Citizens are expected to participate in the democratic process and become assets, not drains on public funds. Nor are they a conduit for criminals to gain access to our law-abiding members of society."

"If we act on your premise that being born on our soil is not a guarantee of citizenship any longer, what does define citizen and citizenship? How does our nation grow? What becomes of these children who no fault of their own, are basically 'stateless' due to the geographic location of their birth? Do we take down the poem from Emma Lazarus, located inside the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty? Do we no longer accept, 'your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door.'

And if active citizenship, service to country, participation in democracy, abiding by the laws of the land are the action steps of American citizens, (a sentiment in which we agree wholeheartedly with you), then what of the career criminals born in this nation of fellow citizens who live lives of perpetual drain on welfare systems? Since they have no desire to serve our nation, should their offspring be denied the 14th Amendment guarantee of automatic citizenship?

No one here denies the need to protect our nation from the porous gateway of recent years that allowed criminal elements to descend on innocent members of society. We argue that precise actions, not scattergun steamrolling is the answer to both scenarios. We clean up the criminal element but we also keep in place the precedent of Jus Soli."

The Birthright Citizenship Debate

"You make some good points. We don't deny that many of our greatest accomplishments came about from children of immigrants to America. You are also correct in your comparison of 'natural born' society members who live only to take what they can, offer nothing to improve their communities and have no allegiance to the country.

We believe that the terms 'citizen' and by extension, 'citizenship' are more than a right bestowed either by birth or legal naturalization. They require an acceptance and a willingness to be productive members of society, as well as is physically possible. They includes the responsibility to live by our laws and to recognize the rights of every individual.

The idea of ending birthright citizenship for non-documented immigrants undoubtedly stems from frustration with crime statistics, and legitimate concerns about rogue proxies of violent dictators wreaking havoc among our cities. We feel like we have to do something, anything to protect our borders.

But your assessment of a 'stateless class' being created by denying citizenship to children born in our country is worth noting. Children can't pick their parents, so they shouldn't be penalized by parental choices."

"We're both on the same side regarding the actions steps of citizens in being productive members of society. Citizenship in our nation is a gift that should never be taken for granted. It isn't merely a title or a distinction. It is a call to duty to defend America, to live by the spirit of those words that are supposed to define the United States. '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.'

There is work to be done, there are problems to be solved. Birthright citizenship is no different than so many of the rights and privileges provided to us in America. There are those who would exploit our freedoms. There are cracks that need to be filled.

We do this as law-abiding citizens, (there is that action step again), we do this by working together to serve the greater good and to leave our children with something better than we found it. Whether we were born under Jus Soli or we came here legally as immigrants, the rights of citizens of America are the same as are the duties to each other."

Written by T.O. Illustratio

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