Citizenship

Citizenship in Athens and Rome has similarities and differences. Being a citizen is being a native or naturalized member of a state or nation who owes allegiance to its government. Being a citizen meant different things in each empire. The relationship between the citizen and their nation varied from their system of citizenship. Rome had a better system of citizenship because they were more open to who they allowed citizenship, they gave people they conquered citizenship, and personal grudges, judgements about others/topics would not affect the Empire.

When America was founded, it was established on freedom and equality for all people. At first it was just religious freedom, but eventually freedom of speech, press, petition, and more. In time, America began to be known as a “melting pot” of cultures as more and more people came because they wanted this freedom; the more people who came though, the more problems America had. There were too many cultural discrepancies between people, and ultimately America, the country based on freedom and equality, faced challenges concerning diversity.

Over a century ago, the 14th Amendment of the United States Constitution was implemented to grant citizenship to individuals born within the country. This was the first time that it was defined what it means to be a citizen in the U.S. While the amendment was created to address the citizenship of slaves, it is currently under speculation in regards to granting U.S. citizenship to children born to undocumented immigrants (Gans, 2012). While there have been many arguments to place restrictions or eradicate granting children of undocumented immigrants U.S. citizenship, the constitutional right remains the same: if you are born on U.S. land, you are a citizen (Angelo, 2013). This paper argues that the birthright citizenship of U.S. born children of undocumented immigrants should continue to be granted based on the underlying principles of the 14th Amendment and the possible implications of ending birthright citizenship. First, this paper describes birthright citizenship and the 14th Amendment, as well as its use in several Supreme Court cases that are significant to this issue. Then, various implications of eradicating birthright citizenship are discussed. Before discussing the possible consequences of eradicating birthright citizenship, it is imperative to discuss the history and principles underlying it.

“We the People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish the Constitution for the United States of America.” Without the right that the Constitution brings us, we wouldn’t have rights therefore the United States wouldn’t be a good place to live in. The Constitution brings us the right of freedom of speech (first amendment) , the right to bear arms (second amendment), and the right to protect against unreasonable government actions such as search and seizure of person property (fourth amendment). Being an American citizen means that you have rights that they would like you to fulfil. As an American citizen is it voluntary to vote, but others are required such as obeying the law and paying taxes. The Magna Carta, John Locke’s Second Treatise of Government, and the Petition of Rights explains the rights and the responsibilities of an American citizen.

We live in a society that has prospered generously over the years. America has opened its doors for so many different people by establishing itself as a free country. Not only have we progressed in technology and economically but we have created our own identity by becoming a free nation in which every individual has the same rights and eligibility as the other. This is the core of our countries success; we are not a nation unified distinctly by a specific race, religion or culture but by the compulsive efforts of our nation’s laws to uphold freedom in every aspect of a civilian’s life. People are not only allowed but encouraged to practice the religion of their choice, eat the food they desire, speak the language they prefer. There is even freedom in the most minute of things such as being able to listen to the music of your choice, these are the laws that promote diversity and strengthen our nation today. Our nation’s identity and prosperity is built upon multiculturalism and ethnic tolerance. However, this was not always the case it has taken many long and brutal years become the stable and versatile country that we are today. Specifically dating back to when this land was first founded and thereafter we see our nation has struggled with conflicts against politics, discrimination, and public affairs up till this very day.

I don't think they achieved full citizenship because they still faved segregation, they don't have complete rights, there was racism. Some ways they faced segregation were their public spaces were separate and more run down than rights. Blacks couldn't go the same places or do the same things as whites with whites. A lot of people were hostile toward them because they had been taking there jobs. Although the 14 amendment said they had full citizenship they didn't because they still couldn't vote . Another way they weren't full citizens was they couldn't serve in a jury because they were former slaves. One way they faced racism was with the ku klux klan (kkk) because they wanted to drive them out of a political life. The ku klux klan (kkk)

According to Taibbi, “Under Secure Communities, law enforcement officials are required to fingerprint all detainees in custody for criminal offenses and run checks on their immigration status”, and more than anything, giving them the power to arrest undocumented people on behalf of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (200). This plan takes into action when officials put checkpoints in cities where people work or go to school; randomizing their times to set up. Not surprisingly at all, these checkpoints only occur in Hispanic communities; where housecleaners, factory workers, and any type of manual laborers live. In Hispanic communities, the majority are undocumented people who are unable to obtain a driver’s license because of their immigration status. Various factors are also taken into consideration; such as, the type of car someone may drive, or even the area one might be in. No matter what the circumstances, “The money is so good, police will show up anywhere where they’re likely to find an undocumented Mexican near a car” (Taibbi 202). Consequently, the effects of deportation are tragic because it can lead to broken families, becoming homeless, or risking one’s life. For example, Taibbi contrasts two possible outcomes on what deportation can cause. First, Alvaro’s story, a native Colombian with a successful construction business (211-231). Though he came into the United States legally, his visa expired making him an illegal immigrant. Caught without a license, Alvaro kept his true identity to himself and was immediately deported to Mexico, where he was kidnapped and in danger of getting killed. In contrast, Natividad (whose husband was deported), is a single mother that struggled with her six children trying to make a living without

Also, diversity is a word that can describe America. Being American allows you to have so many opportunities and choices that make this county so diverse. “What we have to do…is to find a way to celebrate our diversity and debate our differences without fracturing our communities.” Hilary Clinton once said this about diversity in the United States. America is a place where people are able to speak their mind openly and not be punished for it. There is also many different cultures and ways of life. Culture can vary from state to state, but also there are different cultures within the states as well. Without traveling far you can defiantly see many different cultures all around. Having all of the cultures and ways of life helps keep America

In my findings and analysis I will have the opportunity to answer the research question, I interview a Immigration and Customs Enforcement Officer and a relative who experienced staying at different detention centers in Texas for six months before she was deported to El Salvador. Before I started with the interviews I let them know about my research question and then I followed up with interrogations and thoughts, details and opinions. The first interview I conducted was with the ICE officer; Mr. Fields believes that to build a wall at the border will not solve any immigration problems. He believes only criminals should be detain and deported. He said when they arrest people that do not have a criminal record they let them go, if they arrest them in the United States, when they arrest people at the borders they investigate them and most of them are looking for asylum. He said every case is different; the judge approves some cases when they go to their court hearing. Other detainees get a bail and if they cannot pay the bail they get deported. He strongly believes there are good people and bad people and he shared that he grew up in East LA. I questioned him about his thoughts or opinions regarding the law SB 1070 in Arizona and he said those laws do not apply here, it would be hard to comment on them and he would keep it personal. He believes undocumented immigrants or aliens like he called them are not deviant, he believed they are normal people.

America is considered to be one of the most tolerant and diverse countries in the world compared to others. However, Americans as individuals, are highly intolerant of each other’s beliefs and racial background. We are all not as accepting of each other as we claim to be. Race and religion are amongst a plethora of examples on how diversity in America can be intolerable.

88 cases involved terrorism. In 2010-11 there were 4,098 deportations. Only 37 cases involved terrorism. This shows that after 9/11 occurred, our nation became merciless when it came to deportations. More innocent immigrants are deported than immigrants who could actually present a threat, even though data shows otherwise. Many of those who are deported with the title of criminal have also never committed a high-profile crime. David Buhrman, a writer and research suggested that, “what [the Obama administration] mean by a criminal violation is someone arrested bicycling on the sidewalk; really they've defined everything as criminal. And they're using that to get rid of people.” (5) This puts immigrants at high risk of being deported, not only deported back into their country, but deported with a criminal

Deportation is fearful, particularly for children who have no control over the situation or what will ultimately happen to their parents. It’s critical to act humanely in this type of situation. The existing executive order of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (ACA) from Obama should be upheld with regards to defining immigrant criminals and capturing them. This order is based on the supposition that overall immigrants are good people and that if they work with the US government with their information they will re-enter society and not be deported. Should deportation occur the collaboration of municipal and county governments in rural areas is paramount, but deportation should be extremely rare and only be a last resort if necessary.

In 2018, public attitudes towards immigrants in the United States have grown increasingly negative, or rather, citizens have begun to voice their displeasure. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s website attributes over 140,000 arrests this year alone to ICE efforts. Additionally, ICE’s statistics page states that 112,293 detainers were issued since in the time period of the fiscal year of the new [ERO] administration versus that of 62,192 detainers from the previous fiscal year, an 81 percent increase. “A recent Associated Press [AP] investigation has determined one of the causes for a sharp increase in private prisons is the rise in the number of people locked up on immigration charges… The federal government uses contractors to keep nearly half of the 400,000 people being held on immigration

The United States is one of, if not the most, diverse nations in the world. It is often described as a

Firstly, diversity is the greatest capability which adds all different flavors in that society. Different religions, lifestyle, background and values are coming together and building new unique culture. Each person brings experience and thoughts. They want to have something also they have some perceptions which they don’t want to have in their life. Because of that in my opinion United States is the country which is not attached to the fixed culture. But, it is culture like a growing child. It changes to the best side according every evolution. In the United States different religions also irreligious people are able to live together without any problem and