One of the many topics in today’s politics, the rights of immigrants, and lately one of the most important rights is birthright citizenship also known as the 14th Amendment. This means is that any child who is born in the U.S regardless of their parents legal status is automatically a citizen. This fundamental right has been talked about being ended which would have consequences for both the U.S government and the taxpayers.  

All throughout U.S history, people have seen America as a promise land as a beacon of freedom and safety even during the bleakest of times. This idea still holds true today and in fact is one of the leading causes of immigration. Children born in America are Americans even if they are born to a family of immigrants, this fact is protected by the 14th amendment. You never know how much the family has struggled just to give their children a safer future. In a debate published by New York Times “Upfront Magazine” American Immigration Council member Michele Waslin said, “Immigrants come to the U.S to work, reunite with family, to flee persecution, and create better lives for themselves.” These children may be our future, and to deny them citizenship would be to deny them their constitutional rights.

Abolishing the 14 Amendment would not solve our nation’s immigration problem. If the rule was changed the number of undocumented children would skyrocket, and to deport them all would cost U.S taxpayers billions of dollars.The cost of deporting a single person is $10,854 according to USA today.

If a child is born on U.S soil from immigrant parents how does that make that child any less American than a child born on U.S soil but to parents that are U.S citizens. According to the New York Times magazine Upfront, “295,000 Number of babies born in the U.S. to undocumented immigrant parents in 2013. That’s about 8 percent of all U.S. births that year.” These children deserve to have a good life, a place that they can call home, and a place that is safe for them.

There are arguments for abolishing the 14th amendment, those who are for abolishing the 14th amendment say it only attracts more immigrants adding to an already growing problem in the U.S. While it may attract immigrants they are not a problem many of them try to make an honest living and follow laws even if they are not citizens.

The 14th amendment should not be abolished because it gives kids a chance at a better life and being born in the U.S. makes you an American.