Reply to Should Natural Born US Citizens have more rights than "Naturalized" US Citizens? Why or Why Not?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Absolutely not.  Having a tiered system with second-class citizens is antithetical to the idea of equality that is central to our national identity.  If a naturalized citizen breaks the law, they can go to American jail as an American citizen, along with the natural born American criminals.

Moreover, the Constitution designates both those born in America and those naturalized as citizens, without expressing one route to citizenship as another.  If we allow Trump (or anyone) to say that birthright citizenship no longer applies or that naturalized citizens can have their citizenship revoked if they commit crimes, then nobody’s citizenship is guaranteed.  The definition of “crime” is a lot more flexible than the definition of citizenship.  Moreover, there is a set process to change the Constitution through amendment.  It isn’t easy or quick, and it was deliberately designed that way.  If we allow the government to override any part of the Constitution (which guarantees our freedom) without following the amendment process, the Constitution is broken and with its loss goes our freedom.

As for “national character”, I call BS.  What do you think is America’s national character - New York stockbrokers, California surfers, Kansas farmers, Texas roughnecks, Hollywood filmmakers, tech billionaires, etc.?  The national character of America is the melting pot.  We are a very large nation of immigrants and our culture reflects the melding of those who came here, whether voluntarily, involuntarily, or were here long before the pilgrims.  Aside from the Native Americans who were already here, early New York settlers were Dutch, Louisiana was colonized by the French, and the Spanish explorers starting with Columbus and followed by the conquistadors, left their marks on “the new world”, conquering much of what is now America.  Enslaved Africans brought their culture with them, and while much was lost, what remained was embedded in America’s character.  Wave after wave of immigrants has come to America, and while many were reviled at the time, they eventually melded into America, integrating parts of their cultures into the “American” culture and assimilating to the point that they could revile the next wave of “other” immigrants, at least until their culture had been similarly integrated in its turn.  This is the problem with all those aghast at “cultural appropriation” - it is actually the larger society recognizing value in something new and wanting to adopt it to enrich it’s own culture.  It’s the defining feature of American culture that we can find things to value in other cultures to add to our own, while respecting that we are all Americans and that our differences make us stronger.[/quote]

The common culture in America is still Anglo. If you were born and raised in the US, and you visit another Anglo country, you will feel at home there. If you go to Somalia etc, you will not feel at home there unless you have recent ties to the country.

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The United States is the second largest Spanish speaking country in the world and includes many people whose ancestors were Mexican until the borders changed.[/quote]

The dominant culture is still Anglo at this point. If enough Mexicans come here, it will cease to be America and will become another Mexico.

Spanish would become the primary language. Public signage, education, media, and government services would primarily operate in Spanish.

The dominant religion would become Catholic. Mexican cuisines, music and holidays would dominate.

Mexico’s GDP per capita is roughly $13,000 compared to the U.S.’s $81,000. If Mexicans retained their current economic behaviors and systems, the U.S. economy might contract significantly due to differences in industrial output, education levels, and infrastructure.

Mexico’s labor force participation rate is around 60%, with lower average educational attainment.

Mexico has higher income inequality which could lead to greater socioeconomic disparities in the U.S.

Mexico has a history of centralized power and periods of single-party dominance. If Mexicans brought their political norms, the U.S. might see a shift toward a stronger executive influence. Corruption permeates Mexican governance and society.

Mexico’s homicide rate is around 28 per 100,000 people, compared to the U.S.’s 5 per 100,000 (2023 data). If crime patterns followed, parts of the U.S. could see increased violence, particularly in areas affected by cartel-like activity.

The U.S.’s vast infrastructure (e.g., highways, tech networks) would initially remain, but maintenance and adaptation would depend on the new population’s priorities and expertise. Mexico’s less developed infrastructure suggests potential challenges in sustaining U.S.-level systems without significant investment.

America doesn’t have magic soil. Culture comes from the people. If you remove the people, you no longer have the culture.
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No, the United States is not culturally homogeneous. It is a highly diverse nation with a wide range of ethnic, racial, and cultural backgrounds. This diversity is a result of ongoing immigration and historical influences from various parts of the world. 
Here's why:
Immigration:
The US has a long history of immigration, with people from nearly every country in the world settling there. 
Diverse Population:
The US population includes people from various racial and ethnic groups, different religions, and diverse social and cultural backgrounds. 
Varied Cultural Influences:
From its colonial beginnings to the present day, the US has absorbed cultural influences from Europe, Africa, Asia, and other regions. 
Not a Monoethnic Nation:
Unlike some countries with a single dominant ethnicity, the US has always been a mix of different groups. 
Increasing Diversity:
Data from the US Census Bureau shows that the US population is becoming more racially and ethnically diverse over time, particularly among younger generations. [/quote]

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