New Legislation Seeks to Clarify Constitutional Citizenship

On Wednesday, Cotton announced the introduction of his new bill aimed at eliminating birthright citizenship for children born to illegal immigrants. The legislation is part of a broader effort to address what Cotton describes as historic levels of illegal immigration.

Cotton claims that the current practice of granting birthright citizenship has contributed significantly to illegal immigration. "Granting birthright citizenship to illegal aliens has contributed to the highest levels of illegal immigration in history," he stated.

The Constitutional Citizenship Clarification Act is co-sponsored by Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Ted Cruz (R-TX), and J.D. Vance (R-OH). The bill also seeks to deny birthright citizenship to children of terrorists and foreign spies, expanding its scope beyond just illegal immigrants.

Cotton's Criticism of Biden's Executive Order

The introduction of Cotton’s bill follows President Joe Biden’s recent executive order, which limits the number of asylum petitions from illegal immigrants to 2,500 per day.

Cotton criticized this measure, suggesting it signals leniency towards illegal immigration and potential terrorist acts. “Joe Biden is saying to the cartels and potential terrorists, that as long as there’s not more than 75,000 illegal aliens crossing our border a month, then you’re still welcome to come,” he said.

According to the Center for Immigration Studies, since Biden took office, approximately 3.8 million illegal immigrants have entered the United States, raising the total number to around 13.8 million. Cotton argues that his bill will address some of the issues stemming from what he describes as Biden’s “catastrophic border crisis.”

Potential Political Implications for Cotton

This move comes as Cotton is reported to be a top contender for former President Donald Trump’s running mate. In May, reports surfaced that Cotton had joined other prominent Republicans, including Gov. Doug Burgum (R-ND) and Sens. Marco Rubio (R-FL), Tim Scott (R-SC), and J.D. Vance on Trump’s shortlist for potential vice-presidential candidates.

Cotton is recognized for his strong support of Ukraine, which has often put him at odds with the isolationist wing of the GOP. His stance might attract establishment Republicans to Trump’s campaign, appealing to supporters of Nikki Haley. Moreover, Cotton has gained favor with Trump’s base due to his unwavering support during Trump’s legal battles.

In February, Cotton made headlines by demanding the removal of special counsel Jack Smith from Trump’s election subversion case, referring to Smith as "an unhinged zealot." This strong rhetoric has cemented Cotton’s position among Trump’s staunchest allies.

Broadening the Bill's Scope

The bill introduced by Cotton is not limited to addressing birthright citizenship for children of illegal immigrants but also includes provisions targeting children of terrorists and foreign spies. This broader scope reflects Cotton’s commitment to tightening immigration laws and enhancing national security.

Co-sponsors of the bill, including Sens. Blackburn, Cruz, and Vance, have echoed Cotton’s sentiments. They argue that the current interpretation of birthright citizenship incentivizes illegal immigration and poses a threat to national security.

President Biden’s executive order, which Cotton criticized, aims to manage the flow of asylum seekers more effectively. However, Cotton and his supporters believe that the cap of 2,500 asylum petitions per day is insufficient to address the broader issues at the border.

Cotton's Vision for Immigration Reform

Cotton’s bill represents a significant shift in immigration policy, aiming to restrict automatic citizenship to those born in the U.S. to illegal immigrants.

"There is no constitutional right for illegal aliens to cross the border to gain citizenship for their children," Cotton said in a press release. "Fixing this will help reduce the damage from Biden’s catastrophic border crisis."

Conclusion

Sen. Tom Cotton’s introduction of the Constitutional Citizenship Clarification Act marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing debate over immigration policy in the United States.

With co-sponsors like Sens. Blackburn, Cruz, and Vance, the bill seeks to address what its proponents see as a critical flaw in the current interpretation of the 14th Amendment.

As Cotton positions himself as a potential vice-presidential candidate, his stance on immigration will likely play a significant role in shaping the political landscape.