Should US Citizenship be something that must be earned even if you are born in the USA?

Lt Col Jim Coe — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 13:17:13 -0500

Currently all people born in the US are granted citizenship at birth. Legal aliens may apply for and be granted citizenship after passing tests and completing an extensive application process. Many natural-born citizens choose to remain ignorant about the Constitution and their rights and about 40% choose not to vote. Should citizenship become an earned privilege?

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Feb 1 at 2017 1:19 PM

SrA Edward Vong — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 13:19:28 -0500

No, because it's unconstitutional. It's also within every citizen's right to choose whether or not they wish to be informed. That's the beauty of liberty.

This isn't Starship Troopers.

Response by MSgt Alvin A. made Feb 1 at 2017 1:23 PM

MSgt Alvin A. — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 13:23:31 -0500

Rome required Military Service to be a Citizen. The Spartans of Greece took away their Son's at age 8... to build them, to mold them into Warriors. We should do something as a Society that is IMPACTING! It has to be Generational.

Response by SGT Jerrold Pesz made Feb 1 at 2017 1:29 PM

SGT Jerrold Pesz — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 13:29:41 -0500

Yes.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Feb 1 at 2017 1:39 PM

MCPO Roger Collins — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 13:39:56 -0500

The Federalist Papers discussed this aspect, that is who should be permitted to vote. The results are what we have today in the Constitution and it's amendments. Our problem isn't what is written in the Constitution, but what the constructionists have modified the words to mean. A direct answer is no, although I believe there should be some sort of qualifier, there is nothing that leads me to believe this is a good idea.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Feb 1 at 2017 1:40 PM

MSG Brad Sand — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 13:40:32 -0500

No, because I can quickly see the negatives and abuse those in power could create in earning something you were born with. I could understand possibly looking at the status of the parents before granting US citizenship, but I think that is a different question.
The last election cycle showed me how many people do not understand 'natural born' but like parental status in citizenship, that is different question too.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Feb 1 at 2017 1:45 PM

SN Greg Wright — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 13:45:00 -0500

Emphatically not. I would, however, be just fine with a requirement to serve for 2 years, either in the military, government, teaching, etc.

Response by MSgt James Mullis made Feb 1 at 2017 2:24 PM

MSgt James Mullis — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 14:24:43 -0500

No to earning citizenship. Yes, to earning the franchise to vote. There is no actual constitutional provision stating that all citizens have the right to vote, only that voting rights cannot be dispensed on the basis of race or gender discrimination. I would like to see Congress pass a law requiring people meet a set standard that ensures they understand how the government works. The current naturalization test would be a good start or say passing a high school civics course.

Response by 1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2017 3:36 PM

1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 15:36:23 -0500

Only if we amend the Constitution.

Response by MAJ James Woods made Feb 1 at 2017 4:54 PM

MAJ James Woods — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 16:54:33 -0500

No but I do believe emphasis in our schools at educating our students in U.S. history and Constitution. And not revisionist history where it differs based on which state produces the history books. But it wouldn't hurt to have a U.S. government test that must be passed your senior year of H.S. or part of GED test that shows students didn't brain dumb fundamentals of U.S. government; also applies to homeschooled children as well. You fail, no diploma; we can't have the next generation of voters not understanding how elections and government works and why they should vote when they turn 18.

Response by Cpl Joshua Caldwell made Feb 1 at 2017 5:08 PM

Cpl Joshua Caldwell — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 17:08:55 -0500

Interesting idea, it dates back to the Roman empire but it might merit.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2017 6:04 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 18:04:11 -0500

Wishful thinking, if they were denied citizenship due to lack of applying (or failing the required tasks) where would you send them?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2017 9:08 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 21:08:35 -0500

For those legally born here meaning Parents are American citizens, no, but it would be nice if they were required to do some form of service such as Conservation Corps, Military, etc.
I support the idea that people who came here illegally such as when they were children should be able to have a path to citizenship by serving at least 3 or more years in the military

Response by SFC George Smith made Feb 1 at 2017 9:53 PM

SFC George Smith — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 21:53:37 -0500

IOnly if you were born to parents who stole into the country Like Thieves In the Night...

Response by SGT Matthew S. made Feb 1 at 2017 10:49 PM

SGT Matthew S. — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 22:49:35 -0500

Although an enticing idea, the potential for abuse is staggering. My thought is a resounding "no".

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2017 2:32 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Feb 2017 02:32:04 -0500

100 % NO! I am happy most people do not think it's a good idea. I am not sure how else to get people to understand the government, the constitution or rights other than formal education. My biased opinion is that security, education, healthcare and scientific research/study should be the most federally invested institutions and also immune to any cutbacks. I think you run into a slipper at slope when you begin to add a separate "qualifying" dynamic other than natural birth and naturalization to earning citizenship.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Feb 2 at 2017 10:37 AM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Thu, 02 Feb 2017 10:37:12 -0500

Update as of 2/2/2017: Most respondents say we should keep birth-right citizenship. Many also said we should improve "civics" education so more citizens understand both their rights and responsibilities. Some put in a vote for requiring "national service". Other respondents point out that administering a system of legal residents and citizens, both having been born in the US, would be difficult. Also, determining the different rights and responsibilities of legal residents and citizens may be a difficult challenge. The main difference IMO would be the right to vote and hold high public office.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2017 2:20 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Feb 2017 14:20:55 -0500

No. If it was who decides what you have to know to qualify as a citizen? The elite would make it so only those that were connected could gain their citizenship and that would hurt the nation. Remember choosing not to vote is still exercising your right as an American citizen.

Response by CPT Daniel Walk, M.B.A. made Feb 2 at 2017 5:05 PM

CPT Daniel Walk, M.B.A. — Thu, 02 Feb 2017 17:05:37 -0500

Yes. I am a fan of Heinlein's portrayal of citizens and civilians.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2017 7:10 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Feb 2017 19:10:38 -0500

No.

Response by SrA James Cannon made Feb 3 at 2017 4:40 PM

SrA James Cannon — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 16:40:43 -0500

While it is certainly true that folks who go through the naturalization process seem to know way more about the functioning of our government and society that natural born citizens, I don't know that I'd be in favor of everyone having to take some test to be a citizen. I would however, be in favor of changing the criteria of a natural citizen to require at least one parent to be a citizen for the person to be a natural born citizen. I think this would do away with the anchor baby issue.

Response by Capt Gregory Prickett made Feb 3 at 2017 9:37 PM

Capt Gregory Prickett — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 21:37:10 -0500

Absolutely not, that's an unconstitutional proposal.

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made Feb 4 at 2017 12:41 PM

Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen — Sat, 04 Feb 2017 12:41:57 -0500

No, that's unconstitutional. However I think that there should be some form of mandatory federal service that everyone must participate in by some age, say 25 for example. Part of that service should include training in the areas you indicate people choose to remain ignorant about. This doesn't mean mandatory military service, it means service for the good of Americans in general. Many programs exist now (https://www.usa.gov/volunteer) but if made mandatory more areas can be added and shouldn't be just volunteer; needs to be some compensation involved.

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Response by SSgt Mose Carter made Jun 17 at 2018 6:22 PM

SSgt Mose Carter — Sun, 17 Jun 2018 18:22:10 -0400

That is an irrelevant question since the Constitution guarantees citizenship if you are born in the United States of America. So the answer to your question is no.

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Jun 17 at 2018 9:39 PM

SFC Ralph E Kelley — Sun, 17 Jun 2018 21:39:11 -0400

says NO!

Response by SPC Michael Dillon made Sep 26 at 2018 8:34 PM

SPC Michael Dillon — Wed, 26 Sep 2018 20:34:35 -0400

This shouldn't even be a question