Lawsuit filed against the state to protest decision.
By Raif Karerat
A federal judge in Texas denied birth certificates for the U.S.-born children of illegal immigrants, which has resulted in a subsequent lawsuit against the state, reported the Christian Science Post.
U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman ruled Friday that Texas officials can continue to deny U.S. birth certificates to the children of immigrants who cannot supply required identification because they entered the country illegally.
“While the Court is very troubled at the prospect of Texas-born children, and their parents, being denied issuance of a birth certificate,” Pitman wrote in his decision, “Texas has a clear interest in protecting access to that document.”
Although children born in the United States are entitled by law to U.S. citizenship regardless of the immigration status of their parents, Texan authorities have actively attempting to thwart immigrants who have entered the country illegally and are seeking birth certificates for their U.S.-born children, according to the Los Angeles Times.
“Without their birth certificates, they are having difficulty gaining access to basic services, including school and medical care,” said Jennifer Harbury of Texas RioGrande Legal Aid Inc., who represents more than two dozen immigrant parents in South Texas who sued the state earlier this year on behalf of 32 children they claimed were denied birth certificates.
“Without their birth certificates, they are having difficulty gaining access to basic services, including school and medical care,” Harbury said Friday. “Texas must allow a clear path for all children born in this country to gain access to birth certificates and their full rights as citizens. It may not establish an obstacle course for these children alone.”
1 Comment
Maybe we finally have a case to get to SCOTUS! It would be nice to have birth right citizenship clarified.
NO amnesty. NO work permits. NO nothing but deportation.