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Pelosi Statement on Republican Hearing on Ending Birthright Citizenship

April 29, 2015

Contact: Drew Hammill, 202-226-7616

Washington, D.C. – Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released this statement today as House Republicans on the Judiciary Committee's Immigration Subcommittee held a hearing on the possibility of eliminating the birthright American citizenship guaranteed under the 14th Amendment:

"Evidently, there is no American principle too sacred not to be surrendered in Republicans' race to pander to the most radical, anti-immigrant corners of their party. Today's hearing is an appalling Republican effort to reverse one of our most fundamental constitutional guarantees: people born on American soil are Americans.

"House Republicans that refused to give the American people a vote on comprehensive immigration reform are giving a hearing to one of the most loathsome, xenophobic proposals in recent memory.

"The Republicans' unconscionable assault on birthright citizenship dishonors our history, betrays our future, and insults millions of proud first-generation American citizens. The American people deserve better than such a vile effort to narrow the definition of citizenship in our country."

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