Birthright Citizenship According to the Council on Foreign Relations, birthright citizenship “grants citizenship to anyone born in the United States, regardless of the status of their parents » (Rawlins, 2011). Although this appears to be consistent with the Fourteenth Amendment which states that "all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside" (Congress, 1866 ). ), the true intent of this part of the Constitution is hotly debated, particularly in light of the current economic crisis in the United States. That said, it may be up to voters to consider the true costs versus benefits of birthright citizenship and what effect it has on the country as a whole. Many political figures believe that the intent of the Fourteenth Amendment did not include the automatic granting of U.S. citizenship. citizenship to those born to illegal immigrants. One such advocate is South Carolina State Representative Sen. Lindsey Graham. In summary, Mr. Graham believes that the United States made “a mistake” in granting said citizenship and that the practice of birthright only serves to encourage illegal immigration (Preston, 2010). This senator is one of many who believe that illegal immigrants do not fall under the jurisdiction of the United States, as provided by the Fourteenth Amendment. Furthermore, he shares the belief that immigrants cross the borders of the United States with the intention of having children on American soil, in order to strengthen their ability to reside illegally without going through the legal citizenship process. For example, once an illegal immigrant has a child in the United States, the child becomes a citizen and, after...... middle of paper ......320birthright-citizenship-immigration- illegal.htmlOpenCongress. (2011). HR140 – Birthright Citizenship Act. Retrieved from http://www.opencongress.org/bill/112-h140/showPreston, Julia. (August 6, 2010). Citizenship by birth is contested on the right. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/07/us/politics/07fourteenth.htmlRawlins, Aimee. (January 26, 2011). The birthright citizenship debate. Retrieved from http://www.cfr.org/immigration/birthright-citizenship-debate/p23900U.S Census Bureau. (September 13, 2011). Poverty. Strengths. Retrieved from http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/poverty/about/overview/index.html Waddington, Linda. (April 20, 2011). Poll: Americans support Steve King's proposal to end birthright citizenship. Retrieved from http://www.americanindependent.com/180000/poll-americans-favor-steve-king%e2%80%99s-proposal-to-end-birthright-citizenship