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James C. Ho, JD, Partner in Gibson, Dunn, & Crutcher, in an Aug. 25, 2015 Federalist article, "Defining 'American': Birthright Citizenship and the Original Understanding of the 14th Amendment," available at the Federalist website, stated:

“Birthright citizenship is guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment. That birthright is protected no less for children of undocumented persons than for descendants of Mayflower passengers.

The Fourteenth Amendment begins: ‘All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States.’ Repeal proponents contend that this language does not apply to the children of aliens – whether legal or illegal (with the possible exception of lawful permanent residents) – because such persons are not ‘subject to [U.S.] jurisdiction.’ But text, history, judicial precedent, and Executive Branch interpretation confirm that the Citizenship Clause reaches most U.S.-born children of aliens, including illegal aliens.”

Aug. 25, 2015