To the editor:

Re: Feb. 19, use common sense on ‘anchor baby’ issue

This is my opinion on the 14th Amendment and additional information I have studied. That opinion, along with what the Supreme Court has ruled, is neither, right nor wrong, until an actual Constitutional Amendment is ratified to the 14th Amendment.

160 years ago, the 14th Amendment of our Constitution established the foundation that, anyone born in the country is a US citizen. In 1898 (127 years ago) the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Wong Kim Ark vs US to clarify this Amendment.

I am by no means a lawyer. Claiming I lack common sense is a mistaken theory on your part. We and others in this country interpret the 14th Amendment differently. At this point, in our eyes, we view each interpretation as wrong. We can have differing opinions but that doesn’t make you right. Criticizing my views just because they differ from yours suggests a closed-mind.

I have an open mind. I personally have no problem with the 14th Amendment being defined either way. If birthright was defined to end, that would be acceptable only, if current children born and/or brought to the US are guaranteed to be US citizens.

Reason 1: The child has official birthright in the US determined by the Supreme Court ruling in 1898 with each child issued a birth certificate since that ruling. Other countries do not recognize the child’s birth automatically; instead, the parents must report it, obtain a visa for the child, and establish dual citizenship. If the parents don’t notify their country, the child is not considered a citizen of that country. They may apply for dual citizenship, which is rarely simple or fast. Each country may have different rules when establishing citizenship.

Reason 2: It is not the fault of the child for the decisions their parents have made (for being born in or brought to the US). There are adults living in this country who were born or brought to the US by illegal immigrants. They work, own homes and businesses. They are married and have children. They contribute to our communities and country. The US is all they know. To send them back to their parent’s home country would be cruel and inhumane especially if the country is unstable.

Just to clarify, I am a she, not a he.

Ardis Truwe

Redwood Falls