Quote:
Originally Posted by Kitsune
So the states can enforce immigration laws? How would that even work?
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It works like this. If the people of a particular state vote to allow their state the authority to limit immigration, that state can do so. However, if any of the other states in the union choose to allow immigrants to become state citizens, they would be allowed to move into any of the other states
(including those who limit immigration) and be treated as equals in those states because of the 14th amendment.
To make this more clear...
If the people of Texas decided allow the state to make a law stating "No more immigrants", they'd be allowed to do so under the Constitution. If California decided to make a law that says, "All immigrants will automatically be granted California state citizen status", those immigrants would be free to move into Texas and to be treated the same way as any Texas state citizen. They would have all of the same rights and responsibilities as anyone born in Texas.
This is according to the 14th amendment's equal protection clause.