‘Birthright citizenship’ appears deeply embedded in the Constitution

Cotter’s Corner

By Daniel A. Cotter

Daniel A. Cotter is a partner at Latimer LeVay Fyock LLC and an adjunct professor at The John Marshall Law School, where he teaches SCOTUS Judicial Biographies. The article contains his opinions and is not to be attributed to anyone else. He can be reached at dcotter@llflegal.com.

Posted November 5, 2018 10:27 AM

Updated November 5, 2018 2:34 PM

In recent days, President Donald J. Trump has floated the idea that he can end birthright citizenship with an executive order, stating, “It was always told to me that you needed a constitutional amendment. Guess what? You don’t.”The concept and arguments are not new ones. For example, when former Democratic Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., was majority leader, he supported legislation that would have done something similar.In recent days, Reid issued a statement that said his wife immediately set him straight …

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