Debate: Should 'Birthright Citizenship' Be Abolished?
Several G.O.P. candidates are calling for an end to the constitutional rule that a child born in the U.S. is a U.S. citizen. Is this a good idea?

Claim: Do not keep Birthright Citizenship
Reason: Every person in the United States is descended from an anchor baby.
Warrant 0: the practice of anchor babies has gone on long enough
Warrant 1: the practice of anchor babies hasn't gone on long enough to make a positive difference
Correct warrant: 0

Claim: Do not abolish Birthright Citizenship
Reason: The Birthright Citizenship law was intended for free slaves, but is not applicable to today's issues.
Warrant 0: illegal immigrants are like plantation slaves
Warrant 1: illegal immigrants are paid and not like plantation slaves
Correct warrant: 0

Claim: Do not abolish Birthright Citizenship
Reason: Birthright citizenship is too easy to take advantage of.
Warrant 0: my family members are planning to come here illegally
Warrant 1: my family members are planning to come here legally
Correct warrant: 0

Claim: Do not keep Birthright Citizenship
Reason: The 14th amendment is good for the country in that it keeps citizenship rights stable across the states and ensures equal treatment.
Warrant 0: the citizenship will be the same over the states
Warrant 1: every state has different laws and rules
Correct warrant: 1

Claim: Do not keep Birthright Citizenship
Reason: Every person in the United States is descended from an anchor baby.
Warrant 0: times haven't changed since the country's founding
Warrant 1: times have changed since the country's founding, citizenship now must be earned
Correct warrant: 1

Claim: Do not abolish Birthright Citizenship
Reason: Those that come to the US solely to have citizenship conferred on their children are abusing the system.
Warrant 0: we can deport them
Warrant 1: we can not deport them
Correct warrant: 0

Claim: Do not abolish Birthright Citizenship
Reason: It is now just a symbol of class for people to come and have children that are citizens by birth to have the right passport.
Warrant 0: those symbols of class do not make the difference in a child's life
Warrant 1: those symbols of class can make the difference in a child's life
Correct warrant: 1

Claim: Do not abolish Birthright Citizenship
Reason: Citizenship should be earned by people through their investment in the culture and economy.
Warrant 0: citizens invest into the economy
Warrant 1: citizens do not necessarily invest into the economy
Correct warrant: 0

Claim: Do not abolish Birthright Citizenship
Reason: It is now just a symbol of class for people to come and have children that are citizens by birth to have the right passport.
Warrant 0: a big part of being an American is class-consciousness
Warrant 1: a big part of being an American is our values
Correct warrant: 0

Claim: Do not abolish Birthright Citizenship
Reason: Babies born here should take the nationality of the parents.
Warrant 0: the parents, if legal, should not be considered Americans, then
Warrant 1: the parents, if legal, should be considered Americans, then
Correct warrant: 1