No Automatic Citizenship

Donald Trump’s proposal to ban automatic U.S. citizenship to children who happen to be born in America, but whose parents are not citizens, has potential if carried to the its logical conclusion. What about legislation providing that no child, born in America, shall automatically be considered an American citizen unless, and until, that child makes a voluntary choice to be so considered? This process has long worked for the benefit of organized religions: just because one happens to be born within a predominantly Methodist, Catholic, Jewish, or Presbyterian community, does not bind them to membership in such a church. The child becomes a member only upon freely so choosing – after reaching the age of consent [21 years?] – and, until such time, is subject to no such formal, hierarchical authority.

Just like the proverbial broken clock that is right twice a day, Donald Trump may have inadvertently stumbled upon an important libertarian principle – one that even John Locke recognized – namely that the American state – like the Baptists, Catholics, and all other religions – must depend for its membership upon the voluntary choices of free men and women. Those who do not so choose would remain free to pursue whatever course of conduct that is consistent with the natural liberty of all humans.