February 16. 2011
The
Page 23
Portland Observer B lack H isto ry M o n th
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Effective
May 1,2010
Martin
Cleaning
Service
Carpet & Upholstery
Cleaning
Residential &
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$45.00
A small distance/travel charge
may be applied
CARPET CLEANING
2 Cleaning Areas or
more $30.00 Each Area
Pre-Spray Traffic Areas
(Includes: I sm all H allw ay)
1 Cleaning Area (only)
$40.00
Includes Pre-Spray Traffic Area
(Hallway Extra)
Stairs (12-16 stairs - With
O ther Services): $25.00
With
Decisive step
would weaken
America
The immigration debate has taken
another ugly turn. First. Arizona
passed a law, now under federal
challenge, granting unprecedented
powers to police to stop and de­
mand proof of citizenship from
anyone they suspect of being in
the country illegally.
Now, two United States Sena­
tors, a Congressman and at least
14 states have proposed amend­
ing or reinterpreting the 14th Amend­
ment of the Constitution to deny
citizenship to U.S. bom children of
undocumented immigrants.
The 14th amendment effectively
overturned the Supreme Court’s
infamous 1857 Dred Scott decision
which ruled that no slave or descen­
dent of a slave could ever be a
United States citizen.
Since its
ratific atio n in 1868, the 14th
Amendment’s clear statements on
birthright citizenship, due process
and equal protection, have formed children of immigrants unless at least
the basis for a large measure of one parent has permanent resident
social and economic reforms.
status, or is a naturalized citizen or
In fact, the Supreme Court cited is serving in the U.S. military.
the v io la tio n o f the 14th
Last year, in what appeared to be
am endm ent's "equal protection” a mid-term election campaign ploy,
"All persons born or
clause as a major factor in its 1954 a number of conservative Senators
n a tu r a liz e d in the
Brown v Board of Education deci­ said they might call hearings to air
U nited States, and
sion ending segregation in Ameri­ their opposition to automatic citi­
subject to the jurisdic­
can
sc h o o ls.
The
14th zenship for the children of undocu­
tion thereof, are citi­
Amendment’s most famous “birth­ mented immigrants. Most observ­
zens o f the United States and o f the
right” defense came in 1898, when ers and scholars think that a push to
State wherein they reside. No State
the Supreme Court, in United States amend the Constitution is likely to
shall make or enforce any law which
v. Wong Kim Ark, upheld the citi­ fail given that it would require votes
shall abridge the privileges or im­
zenship of a child born in the United from 67 Senators, 290 Congressmen
munities o f citizens o f the United
States to Chinese immigrant par­ and ratification by 38 states.
States; nor shall any State deprive
ents who lived in San Francisco but
But that has not stopped its sup­
any person o f life, liberty, or prop­
were not legal citizens.
porters. On the first day of the new
erty, without due process o f law;
The law is clear: anyone bom on Congress, Rep. Steve King of Iowa
nor deny to any person within its
American soil, regardless of race or chose what he believes is a less
jurisdiction the equal protection o f
ethnicity is entitled to automatic arduous route by introducing legis­
the laws ”. — Section I o f the 14th
citizenship. For more than 100 years, lation that would outlaw birthright
Amendment.
that has been a fundamental prin­ citizenship by amending the Immi­
by M arc H. M orial
ciple of American democracy.
gration and Nationality Act.
But recently, anti-immigration
While opponents of birthright
I forces across the country have citizenship contend their intent is to
S 11 F) S P r i h P
503-288-0033
clai med that large numbers of illegal curb illegal immigration, this is clearly
immigrants are crossing the border another divisive step that would
$60.00 for 6 months • $ 110.00 for I year Portland Observer. PO Box I
simply to have what they derisively weaken Am erica’s tradition and
$200.00 for 2 years (please include check with form) 3 j 37 Portland OR 97208
I call “anchor babies” -children who strength as a nation of immigrants.
I automatically qualify for the ben­ Our message to anyone attempt­
N ame :
I efits of United States citizenship. ing to rewrite history and the law for
T elephone : _____________________ ____ I Despite the fact that this rarely oc­ their own political purposes is clear:
I curs, Sen. David V itterof Louisiana Don’t mess with the 14th Amend­
A ddress : ...
_______________
and Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky,
I have introduced legislation that ment.
Marc H. Morial is the president
o r e m a il su b sc r ip tio n s@ p o r tla n d o b se r v e r .c o m ’ would amend the 14th amendment
and chief executive officer o f the
I and deny citizenship to the U.S bom National Urban League.
o u D s c rio e
Âmi;SubscriptionSiw ■
Area/Oriental Rugs.
$25.(X) Minimum
Area/Oriental Rugsr Woo/j:
$40.00 Minimum
Heavily Soiled Area:
Additional $10.00 each area
(Requiring Extensive Pre-Spraying)
UPHOLSTERY
CLEANING
Sofa: $69.00
Loveseat: $49.00
Sectional: $ 109 - $ 139
Chair or Recliner:
$25 - $49
Throw Pillows (With
Other Services): $5.00
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