Why does the Constitution sometimes use the word 'citizen' and sometimes use the word 'person'?
Note: Here's a link of the case that gives children of illegals the RIGHT to an education...http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/plyler_v._d...
Answer:
One thing the Founders were NOT was careless. Modern pundits, jurists, and lawyers make careers out of torturing perverted meanings out of plain, carefully-thought-out language, so they can win points.
All humans have certain rights (life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness); citizens have more than that -- e.g., the rights to run for office and to vote...
Recall that at the time of the constitution, this country was full of persons who were not citizens. The distinction was quite purposefull because the basic function of the constitution was not to instill rights, but to outline and limit the power of government. The rights already existed, but the constitution generally precludes interfering with those rights.
Yes, there are some rights that mere residence and tourist gets under the constitution. I don't think our founding fathers want us to steal from a tourist and have the thief get away with it.
Because at the time it was written immigration was high and they had to protect all persons.Also our forefathers with much insight left the doors open for future peoples to be protected under our laws whether citizen or not.
It uses 'person under jurisdiction of law' and an example of someone who ISN'T is someone who is a diplomat. Someone here illegally also fits that description when you consider that an alien is considered outside of the country by case law unless properly admitted, in many situations.
However, some protections are for everyone. Why beat around the bush? What is your real question?
They were not careless.
Of course there are rights under the Constitution available to non-citizens. LEGAL non-citizens.
Don't put to much faith in anything wiki... it's mostly a load of crap.
Isn't there a thing where it states in the Constitution "A right to life"? Or was it happiness? Well, regardless, obviously if American constitution gives rights to "non-citizens" , they still consider them human beings. LOL Is there a correlation between that and building a spaceship to find "other forms of life"?
The Immigration information post by website user , MyTend.com not guarantee correctness.
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