Where are your papers

[detbuch]

Originally Posted by JohnR

The Fourteenth does apply most standards to illegal aliens. While they do not get all rights they do get equal protection. But you are correct, they should not get superior protection.

I agree with your stipulation of "most" standards. Which is why I said "'equal protection of the laws' would not fully apply to them."

But are illegals "under the jurisdiction" of the U.S. government?

The way the Amendment is written does not say they are. It starts "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." Thus CITIZENS are under the jurisdiction of our State and Federal governments. Illegal aliens are subject to the jurisdiction of the country in which they are citizens.

The last sentence in section 1 of the Amendment says "No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws."