What the U.S. Constitution giveth, Trump wants to taketh away

-- Opponents of birthright citizenship also claim that the privilege acts as a "magnet" that draws refugees and migrants to this country. That's nonsense. I've spoken to dozens of immigrants over the years, and I can tell you this much: There is a jobs magnet, and a family reunification magnet. There is no citizenship magnet.

-- It's pointless to dwell on the "intent" of the 14th Amendment. With the Constitution, intent is debatable -- and not worth much. The 14th Amendment also guarantees "equal protection of the laws." The fact those words were written to protect freed slaves doesn't mean that they don't also protect other groups from unfair treatment.

-- The 14th Amendment confers U.S. citizenship to "all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof." Some insist illegal immigrants don't qualify. That's absurd. We're talking about the child, not the parents. And if the government can deport or imprison you, then you're subject to its jurisdiction.

-- Republicans like Trump don't really care about citizenship. They care about what citizenship bestows: the right to vote. They know they've misbehaved by picking on Latinos, and they're due a spanking at the ballot box that they're desperately trying to avoid one way or another. That's what this is all about.

-- Once upon a time, some Republicans made a play for Latino voters. Those days are over. The only voters that Trump is trying to rile up so they turn out on Tuesday are those whose American Dream is an America without brown people in it.

Trump and other Republicans like to pick on Latinos. But this time, they picked the wrong spot to poke.

Those voters care about children and families. Defend them, and we will always remember. Attack them, and we will never forget.

========

Ruben Navarrette's email address is ruben@rubennavarrette.com. His daily podcast, "Navarrette Nation," is available through every podcast app.