Lawmaker Blasts 'Anchor Baby' Industry, Says 14th Amendment Misconstrued

Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Immigration, released a statement today blasting the country’s practice of the 14th Amendment. King refers to birthright citizenship being granted to children of undocumented citizens a “misinterpretation of the Constitution.” 

“Because the 14th Amendment has been misconstrued, current law inappropriately gives American citizenship to the children of illegal aliens solely because their parents were able to cross our borders illegally and give birth here,” said King. “As a result of this perverse incentive, an entire ‘anchor baby’ industry has developed which exploits a legal loophole caused by a misinterpretation of the Constitution. Many of these illegal aliens are giving birth to children in the United States so that they can have uninhibited access to taxpayer funded benefits and to citizenship for as many family members as possible.

 “I am encouraged by the fact that 14 states are now taking action to address the problem of ‘birthright citizenship’ for the children of illegal aliens. American immigration law should not create incentives for people to enter our country illegally.”