Politics roundup: Can an executive order end birthright citizenship?

The president recently spoke on ending birthright citizenship with an executive order. What is birthright citizenship and how can the 14th Amendment protect it?

Can an executive order end birthright citizenship?

This week, the President of the United States floated the idea that he could strike down the 14th Amendment of the Constitution via executive order. The 14th Amendment states that “All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States.”

The amendment has come in focus in recent years because of the sprawling and seemingly never-ending immigration debate. While, legally speaking, it’s clear that undocumented immigrants do not have all the rights of a U.S. citizen, the case is very different for their children. Assuming that they have been born within the borders of the United States, these children are themselves full citizens. They have the right to vote, to apply for federal jobs, and to live in the country of their birth.

Situations in which citizen children and their undocumented parents can get very complicated, very quickly. It’s exacerbated by notions of “birth tourism” and “anchor babies”, wherein people intentionally travel to the United States to give birth to American citizens.

The White House’s solution, apparently, is to do away with the children’s’ “birthright citizenship”, as guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. However, it is no small thing to alter one of the founding documents of the United States, even if it’s an amendment that was adopted in 1868.

That makes the President’s plan to do away with the 14th Amendment by executive order a confusing one at best. Legal experts aren’t so sure it will work. This matter, it seems, is not as simple as signing a document. Such a move would go against a century and a half of legal precedent, which is no small thing. If such an order appears, it’s bound to face some serious challenges.

Bolsonaro elected president of Brazil

Jair Bolsonaro, the far-right and deeply divisive politician recently risen to international prominence, has been elected president of Brazil. During the course of his candidacy, Bolsonaro’s inflammatory rhetoric and, for many, shocking statements have won the hearts of supporters and horrified opponents. Few, it seems, fall in the middle when it comes to Bolsonaro.

Bolsonaro has said that the birth of a female child is a “weakness” and that women should not have any equal pay or labor protections. He’s stated that he is “proud to be homophobic”, making his election especially frightening for LGBTQ Brazilians.

Many LGBTQ people in Brazil describe this impending presidency as “a matter of survival” rather than a political debate. Just this January, a report showed that LGBTQ deaths are at an all-time high in Brazil. Many of those acts of violences can be linked directly back to pervasive homophobia in the country.

Meanwhile, Bolsonaro has also said that he is in favor of torture. He has spoken fondly of Brazil’s previous military dictatorship, saying that he would even hold a coup and do away with the Brazilian legislature if they don’t accede to his wishes. Perhaps unsurprisingly at this point, he is also highly skeptical of environmental legislation and protections for the indigenous people of Brazil.

Why would a man such as Bolsonaro win the election? For all that some Brazilians speak of him with horror, others were energized and excited by his picture of a brand new government. The previous one is rife with corruption and scandal. Only two years ago, former president Dilma Rousseff was removed from office after a government budget scandal. That’s only the tip of the iceberg, as later investigations revealed far more extensive corruption within the Brazilian government.

For many voters, Bolsonaro promised a stronger, more economically stable Brazil. Matters of finances and national pride, then, won out over progressive causes such as LGBTQ rights and equal pay for women.

What does this election mean for the future of Latin American politics? Many see this as a worrying rise of far-right nationalism that could usher in an era of increased violence towards anyone who steps out of line. Others contend that this is alarmism, and nothing more. As of now, the future in any direction is difficult to predict.

Pittsburgh synagogue shootings lead many to question modern political rhetoric

Is the worst anti-Jewish attack in American history the result of inflammatory rhetoric championed by politicians and public figures? It’s hard to tell – at least, depending on who you ask – but the recent deadly shootings in a Pittsburgh synagogue have reignited this debate.

This past Saturday, Robert Bowers entered into the Tree of Life synagogue, shouting anti-Semitic phrases and brandishing a gun. He killed 11 people and wounded six others. Victims included Bernice Simon, 84, and Sylvan Simon, 86, a couple who had married at the synagogue more than 60 years ago.

The other victims are brothers Cecil and David Rosenthal, Irving Younger, Melvin Wax, Rose Mallinger, Jerry Rabinowitz, Joyce Fienberg, Richard Gottfried, and Daniel Stein.

Bowers, who pled not guilty to all charges, had posted virulent anti-Jewish sentiments on social media prior to the attacks. Some now argue that Bowers was influenced by conservative, nationalist rhetoric of the type voiced by the current President. Such rhetoric has often been connected with racist and anti-Semitic groups, such as white nationalists. Some commentators have drawn lines between Bowers’ actions and the anti-immigrant sentiment of the far-right, conservative internet.

Pentagon deploys troops to U.S.-Mexico border, President implies military action

Two caravans, consisting of a combined estimate of 6,000 people, are heading for the United States-Mexico border. In a matter of weeks, these people – many of whom say they are fleeing violence in Central America – will reach the edge of the United States. If the President makes good on recent statements, they will be met by thousands of U.S. troops, in addition to existing border security personnel.

More specifically, the President said on Wednesday that he was willing to deploy as many as 15,000 soldiers to the border. It is unclear whether or not that includes the 5,200 troops already promised by the Pentagon. Either way, it is a considerable increase in military presence in the region, and at the border in particular.

And, finally, your palate cleanser

Today marks the final day of Día de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead celebrations held throughout the Americas. Where Halloween, most popular in the United States, is a celebration of generally spooky things and buckets full of tiny candy bars, Día de los Muertos has a deeper meaning. It focuses on family and remembrance, with an emphasis on family members and ancestors who have already passed.

If you’re not already familiar with the celebrations through your own family and culture, now’s the time to get more acquainted with the Day of the Dead. You may see traditions such as ofrendas, altars built to honor the dead. Marigolds, the bright yellow-gold flower that is especially abundant in Central America this time of year, are a popular choice for decorations. Indeed, it’s so well-known that it’s sometimes called flor de muerto, or flower of the dead.

It’s all a lot more than the 2017 Disney/Pixar film, Coco (though it’s worth checking out that movie nonetheless). The tradition, which dates back to the indigenous peoples of the Americas, is so enmeshed in the culture of the region that it was added to UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2008. It’s all in celebration of the departed. Some people share stories, enjoy family recipes, clean graves, and enjoy sugary candies like the now famous sugar skull treats and decorations.