Braver Angels Debate: Birthright Citizenship

Debate with Braver Angels! The subject of the debate this time is birthright citizenship.

President Trump – in his second term – has proposed an end to birthright citizenship, which grants automatic American citizenship to “all persons born or naturalized in the United States.” This right of citizenship was added to the Constitution by the Fourteenth Amendment, which was ratified after the Civil War in 1868. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that the language of the amendment includes all “persons”, regardless of race, religion, or national origin.

Some people think that birthright citizenship is fundamental to American identity and character, while others feel it should be limited or eliminated altogether. What impact would ending birthright citizenship have on America’s immigration policy? This resolution launches a debate about the impact of altering immigration policy.

Residents are invited to attend and participate in the debate. Braver Angels debates encourage listening and active conversation. They are moderated to ensure that conversation remains civil and that both sides of the question are heard. The resolution is offered as a starting place for conversation, and does not reflect the views of the Mahomet Public Library. The Library hosts these debates to promote friendly and productive discussion of the difficult issues facing our society.

For adults. No registration required.