This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2010, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Rep. Paul Ray joined at least 13 other state lawmakers nationwide Tuesday in forming a working group seeking to eliminate the birthright clause in the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
The group, 14th Amendment Citizens Model Committee, is billed as a nationwide task force created by Pennsylvania Rep. Daryl Metcalfe to "eliminate the misapplication of the 14th Amendment."
Among the coalition's members are illegal immigration firebrand Russell Pearce, an Arizona state senator who authored that state's controversial law. It is intended to curb the flow of immigrants through tough, local law enforcement of federal immigration law — though portions of it are being challenged in federal court.
Ray, R-Clearfield, said the national group will help him as he drafts language for the bill he plans to introduce during the legislative session beginning in January.
"It's in the process now, but it probably won't be completed until early December," Ray said. "I think it's important to get as much review on the language as possible before introducing anything."
But he acknowledged that the 14th Amendment is in the federal domain and what he introduces in the Utah House may simply be a resolution asking Congress to do something about it.
Some Republicans — including U.S. Senate candidate Mike Lee — have supported changing the birthright clause in the 14th Amendment.
"Right now, my opinion is we're better off with a resolution," Ray said. "I'd like to give Congress the opportunity to fix the problem."
The birthright clause guarantees citizenship to any person born on U.S. soil. That clause has been a favorite point of attack by conservatives, who claim its existence encourages more illegal immigration.
That is nonsense, said Michael Clara, chairman of the Utah Republican Hispanic Assembly.
"It's a sign of their desperation. You look at what they're doing. Before, they were going after children, trying to repeal in-state tuition," Clara said. "It's incredible they keep going after the most innocent people."
What the 14th Amendment says
R The birthright clause of the 14th Amendment reads, in part: "All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside."