On Friday, September 8th, Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, with a tone of unwavering conviction, unveiled a controversial stance on immigration to NBC News following an Iowa town hall. Ramaswamy said, “The family unit will be deported,” referring to American-born children of undocumented immigrants. When probed further by NBC News, this revelation was met with a firm affirmation from Ramaswamy, leaving no room for speculation.
Such a declaration stands in stark contrast to the 14th Amendment of the United States Constitution. A cornerstone of American civil rights, the amendment guarantees citizenship to “all persons born or naturalized in the United States.” Yet, Ramaswamy, aligning with a burgeoning segment of conservative thinkers, challenges this long-held interpretation. He insists that the amendment’s language might not extend the privilege of birthright citizenship to children of undocumented immigrants, thereby making their deportation “legally permissible.”
Ramaswamy’s perspective, while audacious, isn’t without precedent. A May 2023 report by Reuters spotlighted former President Donald Trump’s similar pledge: to curtail birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants. This rekindled a debate that has long been a flashpoint in American politics, with staunch advocates on both sides.
Ramaswamy’s vision for America’s immigration policy doesn’t end at citizenship debates. He envisions a fortified America, with enhanced security protocols at both its Northern and Southern frontiers. A March 2023 tweet further elucidated his aggressive stance. Ramaswamy expressed a readiness to deploy military assets, including drones, against Mexican drug cartels, aiming to stem the tide of the fentanyl crisis plaguing many American communities. He underscored a need for a recalibrated foreign policy, one that seeks a clear demarcation from Communist China.
Navigating the intricate maze of legal and constitutional challenges, Ramaswamy remains steadfast in his beliefs. His views resonate with a segment of the GOP, with figures like Florida Governor Ron DeSantis echoing similar sentiments on birthright citizenship.
As the countdown to the 2024 elections begins, Ramaswamy’s forthright positions promise to be at the forefront of national discourse. They not only reflect his personal convictions but also signal the shifting sands of the Republican party’s stance on immigration and foreign policy, two issues that will undoubtedly shape the future of American politics.
