Duncan Hunter (R-Ca) ought to read up on his Constitution. He does not seem to know, or understand, or be a fan of (or all three) the 14th Amendment. You know, the one that defines citizenship.

During a San Diego Tea Party rally, Hunter was asked if he would support the deportation of natural born citizens whose parents were illegal immigrants. Hunter stated:

I would have to, yes. [...] We simply cannot afford what we’re doing right now. California is going under. How much in debt are we? Twenty billion dollars? [...] And we’re not being mean, we’re just saying it takes more than just walking across the border to become an American citizen. It’s what’s in our souls.

Yes. It does take more than walking across the border to become and American citizen. But it does not take more than being born within these borders. The Constitution states, and I quote,

All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

Got that? All persons born in the United States are citizens of the United States. It does not say “all persons born in the United States whose parents have legal status here as citizens or legal aliens are citizens of the United States.” We have a long history of allowing citizenship for children born here.

If Hunter needs further evidence, he should look at United States v. Wong Kim Ark where courts specifically ruled that children born in the US are citizens regardless of their parent’s citizenship and legal status.

Hunter, you cannot deport legal citizens of the United States. It is unConstitutional and anti-American and anyone who thinks differently is sadly mistaken. Should we deport anyone whose ancestor came here illegally? How many generations back should we go? One? Two? Ten? Perhaps we should all be deported and leave just the Natives.  Oh but wait. Then where will all the white people who are “real Americans” go?

Hidden racism is still racism, Hunter. Get some balls, if you hate the Mexicans so much that you want to deport them even when they are legal citizens, just say so. But don’t try to hide it by saying they are not Americans. Because they are. Just like you and me. Or wait. I guess I’m not since my Grandfather came here illegally. So then we are Americans just like you. Suck it up and deal.