Reason Writers Around Town: Shikha Dalmia on Progressives Who Favor Repealing Birthright Citizenship

Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) wants to deny birthright citizenship to kids of undocumented aliens because otherwise, he believes, Al Qaeda moms will sneak into the U.S., have American babies, and then send them back in 20 years to "destroy our lifestyle." Gohmert might be missing a marble or two. But some progressive libertarians are joining his crusade against birthright citizenship not to protect America, but to help poor immigrants. They claim that delinking the right to work and live in America from citizenship will make Americans more accepting of guest workers if they don't have to pay for these workers' welfare benefits.

In her latest column for The Daily, Reason Foundation Senior Analyst Shikha Dalmia examines their case and notes that while this swap is well intentioned, it won't ultimately "help foreign workers as much as it might corrupt us."

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