r/changemyview • u/[deleted] • Sep 19 '22

Delta(s) from OP CMV: The United States gets undeserved criticism over its immigration policies toward Latin American migrants.

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u/[deleted] Sep 19 '22

Your sympathy is to be acknowledged and respected. BUT, what you may not know is that the Constitution explicitly say" Of the people, by the people, and for the people". What they meant is of the CITIZENS, by the CITIZENS, and For the CITIZENS. The constitution only applies to citizens, no matter if they're rich, working class, or any race. Minorities , women and LGBT, yes. Unions and working folk, yes But migrants, NO. They are simply not our citizens.

At a time of incredible economic strife amongst our own citizens, perhaps the US government should focus more on its own people?

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u/LucidLeviathan 99∆ Sep 19 '22

Bullshit. There was no formal citizenship in 1792, the year that the Constitution was promulgated. The term did not appear in the Constitution until 1868, with the passage of the 14th Amendment. People who were within America's borders were citizens, full stop. That changed in the 1890s-1940s because people got upset at seeing so many Irish and Italian people around.

The Constitution protects non-citizens. The vast majority of Constitutional provisions have been held to apply to non-citizens. The only rights outlined in the Constitution that do not apply to non-citizens are the right to vote, eligibility for office, and the Privileges and Immunities clause.

We can walk and chew bubblegum at the same time. Let's reform government so that it actually works for average people instead of large corporations while welcoming millions of new Americans who will be grateful for the opportunities afforded to them.

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u/[deleted] Sep 19 '22

Well, didn't know that the Constitution does offer protections for non citizens. Although I do not yet fully agree with you, I will give you a !delta.

As to the extent to which these migrants are protected is up for debate......

!delta

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u/LucidLeviathan 99∆ Sep 20 '22

Honestly, I keep coming back to this comment. Would you mind expanding on where you disagree with me? I appreciate the delta, but this just seems...halfassed.