Listen To Story Above
During a recent episode of HBO’s “Real Time,” Democratic Representative Ro Khanna engaged in a spirited debate about birthright citizenship, defending the constitutional principle against proposed changes.
Khanna emphasized his commitment to fundamental American values, asserting that American citizenship should be granted to anyone born on U.S. soil. He criticized Republican attitudes toward the Constitution, suggesting they only support it when convenient. The California representative highlighted America’s unique quality of offering opportunities to children born to parents from any background, regardless of their wealth or status.
The Framers of the 14th Amendment would be appalled at how abused the notion of “birthright citizenship” is today.
The privilege of United States citizenship is a priceless and profound gift.
/div>It should not be granted to those who abuse our laws. pic.twitter.com/4avBB03LQn
— Rep Andy Biggs (@RepAndyBiggsAZ) January 23, 2025
“[W]e’re going to speak for basic American values. If you’re born in America, you’re an American, period. And when he’s going after that — all the Republican lecturing, we’re for the Constitution, we’re for the founders, until they’re not. You know what makes America exceptional? The fact that your parents can come from any country, be of any faith, not have wealth, not have fame, and if you’re born in America, you can go as far as you want. And that’s what Donald Trump is taking away.”
Show host Bill Maher challenged this perspective, pointing to instances of birth tourism, particularly citing wealthy Chinese individuals who travel to America specifically to secure citizenship for their children. “Come on, man. Rich Chinese people come here just — they fly over here and then they have the baby here just so they can be an American citizen. It has been bastardized. You can’t say that this is just all for the good.”
Here’s the truth: the 14th Amendment was never intended to serve as a blank check for illegal immigration.
It was never intended to grant citizenship to the children of people who BROKE our laws to enter this country.
End Birthright Citizenships. pic.twitter.com/ILiJbYUidC
— Randy Weber (@TXRandy14) January 23, 2025
In response, Khanna drew a parallel to historical rhetoric about welfare recipients, suggesting that using extreme examples shouldn’t justify constitutional amendments. “This is like the Reagan welfare queens, they pick out some extreme example, but you’re going to change the Constitution over that?”
Subscribe
You may also like...

Johnson invites Trump to speak about America’s...
Johnson invites Trump to speak about America’s...
Your browser does not support the audio element. Listen To...

Europe Must Copy US Business Style, Says...
Europe Must Copy US Business Style, Says...
Your browser does not support the audio element. Listen To...

Rep defends birthright citizenship against birth tourism...
Rep defends birthright citizenship against birth tourism...
Your browser does not support the audio element. Listen To...

Bill Maher says birth citizenship rules need...
Bill Maher says birth citizenship rules need...
Your browser does not support the audio element. Listen To...