To the editor: It’s quite rare to find Americans who can say their citizenship isn’t a result of birthright. I was intrigued by the recent article about the Californian lawyer shaping Trump’s stance on birthright citizenship, especially since he’s facing disbarment.
Reflecting on my own family, my grandfather made his way from England to Canada as a teenager aboard a cattle boat. He carved a life for himself catching and training wild horses across the western regions, selling them where he could. He later married a German woman whose roots traced back to a frequently shifting border region, known as the Polish Corridor. They eventually settled in Minnesota to raise their family.
Despite having no documentation to confirm their naturalization as American citizens, my grandfather’s descendants are undeniably American, thanks to the 14th Amendment. That includes his 12 children, 26 grandchildren, and the following generations.
Carol Nelson-Selby, San Luis Obispo
To the editor: Many ideas that start out positive can reveal an array of negatives when human nature comes into play. Birthright citizenship is a prime example of a noble idea born during the abolition of slavery. Over time, however, the well-intentioned concept has been manipulated.
One notable instance is “birth tourism,” where individuals from abroad come to the U.S. towards the end of their pregnancies just so their children can obtain American citizenship. The public knows this practice exists, and perhaps it’s time for “we the people” to deliberate on whether birthright citizenship should persist.
Elaine Vanoff, West Hollywood
To the editor: The issue with birthright opponents extends beyond refusing citizenship to children born in the U.S. from undocumented parents. Among the leading critics, John Eastman argues against granting citizenship to any children born here to parents who aren’t yet naturalized.
As a personal example, my three kids were born in the U.S. to parents — one from Spain and the other from the Netherlands — who weren’t naturalized at their time of birth. Interestingly, Eastman was one of my daughter’s professors at the Chapman’s Fowler School of Law. They often found themselves on opposite sides of political debates.
I wonder, would Eastman challenge my daughter’s natural-born citizenship? I’d relish seeing him take this matter to court—where I suspect his case would falter.
Anneke Mendiola, Santa Ana
