In an interview that aired over the weekend, Vice President JD Vance reportedly ridiculed Margaret Brennan after Brennan contended that U.S. immigration policy should be distinct from that of other countries due to America’s “unique” status.
Vance made the comments while discussing President Donald Trump’s intention to eliminate birthright citizenship for individuals who enter the country illegally with the sole intent of giving birth to a kid who will automatically become a citizen of the United States.
“It’s a very basic principle in American immigration law that, if you want to become an American citizen, and you’ve done it the right way, and the American people in their collective wisdom have welcomed you into our national community, then you become a citizen,” Vance said. “But temporary residents, people who come in here, whether legally or illegally, and don’t plan to stay, their children shouldn’t become American citizens. I don’t know any country that does that, or why we would be different.”
Brennan retorted: “Well, but this is a country founded by immigrants.”
“Well, this is a country founded by —“ Vance started to reply before being cut off by the liberal host.
“This is a unique country,” Brennan interrupted.
“This is a very unique country, and it was founded by some immigrants and some settlers. But just because we were founded by immigrants doesn’t mean that, 240 years later, that we have to have the dumbest immigration policy in the world. No country says that temporary visitors, their children will be given complete access to the benefits and blessings of American citizenship.” Vance responded.
“America should actually look out for the interests of our citizens first, and that means, again, if you’re here permanently and lawfully, your kid becomes an American citizen. If you’re not here permanently, if you’re not subject to the jurisdiction of the United States and don’t plan to be, why would we make those people’s children American citizens permanently?” he concluded.
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