Birthright Citizenship Act would clarify ‘under the jurisdiction’
‘Anchor baby’ added to ‘New American Heritage Dictionary’

sonorannews.com
BY LINDA BENTLEY
DECEMBER 7, 2011

WASHINGTON – H.R.140, titled the Birthright Citizenship Act of 2011, was introduced on Jan 5. 2011 by Rep. Steve King (l), R-Iowa. As of last month, the bill had 80 co-sponsors.

While its companion bill S.723 was read twice in the Senate and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary in April 2011, H.R.140 was referred to the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration Policy and Enforcement on Jan. 24, 2011 where it languishes without action.

The bill does not amend the Constitution but rather Section 301 of the Immigration and Nationality Act to clarify those classes of individuals born in the United States who are considered nationals and citizens of the United States at birth.

The Birthright Citizenship Act amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to clarify a person born in the United States "subject to the jurisdiction" of the United States for citizenship at birth if the person is born in the United States of parents, one of whom is: (1) a U.S. citizen or national, (2) a lawful permanent resident alien whose residence is in the United States, or (3) an alien performing active service in the U.S. Armed Forces.

The United States presently recognizes any person born on American soil as a U.S. citizen, ignoring the constitutional requirement under the 14th Amendment that one must also be “subject to the jurisdictionâ€