The 14th Amendment Under Scrutiny: Birthright Citizenship, CNMI Realities, and a New Era of American Sovereignty
The CNMI and the 14th Amendment: Understanding the Exemption
The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) holds a unique political and constitutional status as a U.S. territory under the Covenant to Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political Union with the United States of America. This agreement, ratified in 1975, outlines specific terms for the CNMI's relationship with the U.S., granting it significant autonomy while applying only select portions of the U.S. Constitution, including the 14th Amendment.
The 14th Amendment guarantees equal protection and due process under the law, but its full application in the CNMI is limited. Unlike states, U.S. territories like the CNMI are governed under the Insular Cases, a series of Supreme Court decisions from the early 20th century. These rulings established that constitutional rights do not automatically extend to territories unless Congress explicitly incorporates them.
Introduction: Recapturing Our Nation’s Heritage
The Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, once hailed as a beacon of civil rights, has been perverted and weaponized against America. Today, its Citizenship Clause—specifically, the misinterpretation of “subject to its jurisdiction”—has become a haven for those exploiting our generosity and undermining American values.
We will expose how a once noble principle has been twisted to allow the children of foreign invaders and economic opportunists to claim automatic citizenship.
This article demands a return to the true intent of the 14th Amendment, examining its roots, the rampant abuse in U.S. territories like the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) and Guam, and the urgent steps needed to secure our borders and reclaim our nation. Fueled by our commitment to "America First", we will address the current abuse of birthright citizenship, analyzing its original context, and exploring its impact on CNMI and Guam, focusing on the foreign-born babies of non-citizens, as well as the changes that will soon mean these families will be required to leave the islands and the country.
Part 1: Historical Genesis and Context of the 14th Amendment
The 14th Amendment, born from the carnage of the Civil War, was crafted as a shield for Black Americans who had been denied basic rights by a discriminatory society. The Reconstruction Congress was clear: the amendment was to correct the travesty of Dred Scott v. Sandford, and codify citizenship for formerly enslaved people. It was not, however, intended as an open invitation to the world’s non-citizens, but a tool to secure freedom for freedmen.
The Black Codes and the Southern Rebellion: The 13th Amendment, which ended slavery, sparked a wave of resistance in the South. These “Black Codes” were designed to control freed Black Americans, denying them basic civil rights, like the ability to own property, have the ability to contract or sue, thus rendering their newfound freedom a legal charade. The 14th Amendment was enacted as a Federal override of such discrimination.
The Fraudulent Interpretation of Jurisdiction: The debates in Congress surrounding the 14th Amendment made it clear that the phrase “subject to its jurisdiction” was intended to grant citizenship to people who owed unqualified allegiance to the United States, not those who were transiently present, or still owed loyalty to foreign governments.
The Intent: A Shield, Not an Open Door: The true intent of the 14th Amendment was to remedy the injustice of Dred Scott and codify civil rights for American citizens. It was never conceived as a pathway for foreign nationals to exploit US territory in the pursuit of citizenship. It was meant to ensure the protection of those who were already part of the national fabric, not to enable the creation of a non-citizen class for economic gain.
Early Courts Knew the Truth: Early legal interpretations, including Slaughterhouse Cases and Elk v. Wilkins, rightly affirmed a more limited version of birthright citizenship, recognizing that full and complete loyalty to the U.S. was a core component, rejecting a broad interpretation based purely on birth on U.S. soil. They recognized that a person could be on U.S. soil, while still subject to other nations and laws, and thus not qualified for citizenship.
Part 2: The CNMI and Guam: Open Borders, Open Wounds
The CNMI and Guam, territories of the U.S., are proof of the systemic abuse of birthright citizenship. The overwhelming number of foreign-born babies—primarily from countries like the Philippines, China, and other Asian nations—expose the deliberate exploitation of our immigration laws.
Data as Evidence of Abuse: The increase in births to non-resident mothers in the CNMI, with a peak of 581 births in 2018, is not an accident. These figures represent a deliberate effort by individuals and their families to circumvent the legitimate process of legal immigration.
Birth Tourism: A Corrupt Scheme: CNMI’s weak immigration laws, particularly the previous lack of visa requirements for Chinese and Russian tourists, make it a haven for "birth tourism." This scheme, where individuals travel specifically to give birth to children who can exploit U.S. citizenship, has undermined the intention of the law, while creating an environment for other illicit activities such as money laundering.
Local Resources Devoured: The rise in births by foreign nationals has put a strain on the already limited resources of CNMI and Guam, with strained hospitals, overcrowded schools, and social services, becoming overwhelmed by those who haven’t contributed to these systems. Local taxpayers are saddled with the burden of financing a welfare infrastructure for individuals who often have no ties, and no allegiance, to our country.
Unfair Economy: These territories economies are reliant on a large non-citizen workforce. But this creates two systems, where a second class of citizen, one with limited rights and protections exists in plain sight. Birth tourism further complicates the system by adding to the list of burdens that the territories must bear.
National Security Risk: The presence of Chinese nationals in the CNMI, often with financial ties to the Chinese Communist Party, raises concerns about potential national security threats. The islands’ weak enforcement and the abuse of the system creates a backdoor to the U.S. for those who seek to undermine our nation from within.
Part 3: The "America First" Imperative and Project 2025
The America First Policy Institute and similar organizations believe that the current interpretation of birthright citizenship represents a failure of leadership. It is a distortion of the Constitution and an open wound to American sovereignty, and a system that encourages abuse and illegality. Groups such as the Heritage Foundation and the Center for Immigration Studies have provided the intellectual justification for this perspective. A reevaluation of immigration policy is needed, they argue, to restore national pride and enforce the rule of law, as well as an adherence to the historical intent of the Constitution. Project 2025 seeks to institute a new administration that is aligned with these goals, and sees immigration reform as central to strengthening America.
Rejecting Fraudulent Citizenship Claims: Birthright citizenship, as it is currently interpreted, enables a global scheme that promotes illegitimate claims to citizenship. It's a system that rewards those who break our laws, undermining the integrity of our nation and the spirit of our Constitution.
Restoring the True Meaning of Jurisdiction: True jurisdiction demands complete and undivided loyalty to the United States. Simply being born on our soil is insufficient. True citizenship requires an adherence to our values, our laws, and our heritage, as well as a willingness to commit to the principles of American sovereignty.
National Security and Border Control: Border security is not just about economics. It's about protecting our nation from all potential threats. Allowing illegals to enter, have children, and claim citizenship creates a national security vulnerability and undermines the work of our law enforcement and security agencies. It is time to close these loopholes and restore sanity to the system.
Ending Fiscal Irresponsibility: Welfare, schools, healthcare, social services, all of these programs are over-burdened by illegals. Limiting birthright citizenship will remove the burden from taxpayers and redirect resources back to our own citizens.
The Wall and the Rule of Law: Border security must be absolute. The existing open-door policies, that encourage people to break our laws, must be replaced with a system based on merit, where those who commit to being part of our national fabric have the opportunity to become citizens through a lawful process, not a birth tourism scam.
Part 4: The “Birthright Citizenship Act” and a Promise to Secure Our Borders
The "Birthright Citizenship Act," (though it currently exists only as a concept discussed in the videos), or similar bills, are a powerful step towards reclaiming our nation. Such legislation will reflect a commitment to putting American citizens first, by limiting birthright citizenship to only to those whose parents are legal and committed to our nation, and who can prove they are qualified to call themselves an American.
Restoring the Integrity of Citizenship: By denying citizenship to those whose parents are not legal and committed, we will restore the value of U.S. citizenship, which has been diminished by the current, overbroad application of the law.
Putting American Citizens First: This bill will put the focus back on the protection of the American people, instead of enabling those who would abuse the system for their own gain.
Ending the Abuse: The new bill is meant to be a tool to end the abuses of the current system, ensuring that U.S. citizenship is earned, not exploited.
Promoting a Merit-Based System: This bill is meant to promote a more equitable system, where legal immigration is prioritized and the path to citizenship is not abused, but is a demonstration of genuine commitment to the U.S.
Part 5: A Stark Reality: Foreign-Born Parents and Children Must Depart
If these new policies are enacted, the path for foreign nationals in the CNMI and Guam will become increasingly narrow. The following consequences will be immediate and undeniable:
No Automatic Citizenship: Children born in the CNMI and Guam to non-citizen parents—who are not lawful permanent residents or in the military—will not be considered U.S. citizens. This includes children of temporary visitors, illegal immigrants, and visa overstays. This will bring these children and their families outside of the protections guaranteed to citizens.
No Legitimate Path to Legal Status: Those who are not legal residents will not qualify for citizenship. The children cannot be used as a pathway for the parents to obtain legal status. For many, this will mean their removal from the country.
Reversal of Previous Law and Order: Legal systems will be upended and will be re-evaluated to bring about compliance with the Constitution. There will be confusion and disorder as the legal establishment will need to re-assess past case law, and adjust to the new system. The burden on legal resources will be significant.
Instability and Uncertainty for Foreign Nationals: Non-citizens residing in the CNMI and Guam will be thrown into a state of limbo. Those who relied on birthright citizenship will be required to make difficult choices, such as separating from their children, or returning to their homelands, facing an uncertain future in their native lands.
Part 6: Adjustments and Community Response
With new rules and regulations on immigration, local organizations will be forced to change and adapt to these conditions.
The United Filipino Organization will have to change its goals as the legal pathways for their immigration into the US are constricted. They will need to adjust to a new paradigm of more rigid and more closely controlled legal avenues into the US.
The Saipan Chambers of Commerce and similar groups will have to focus on business models that can survive without exploiting loopholes in the immigration system, as those loopholes will be eliminated. They must re-evaluate their labor models with an eye towards the enforcement of immigration laws.
Legal Aid Groups: Will need to pivot to address the new legal reality that will see an influx of non-citizens with legal issues. They will need to adopt new procedures and legal strategies to address the challenges brought about by these changes, and they will need to pursue litigation at the highest levels of the American court system.
Part 7: A New Era and the Future
The path forward is clear: the exploitation of birthright citizenship will end. Those who would take advantage of our laws will be held accountable. Those who seek a better life in America must do so legally. Those who choose not to follow the rules of law will not be rewarded, and they will be subject to a new set of standards that place American citizens first.
Opinion: A Path to Sovereignty
It is imperative that the United States, under the authority of the Constitution, reassert control over its borders and reaffirm the core principle of citizenship based on a real commitment to our nation, and the rule of law. The current system has been abused and exploited for far too long, and the time for debate has passed. The reforms that are necessary will cause significant uncertainty, fear, and confusion, for those who have taken advantage of the system. They will need to return to their home countries, and this process will be hard for many. But, we must remember that our first priority must be the safety, security, and prosperity of the American people.
Bibliography
"The Original Meaning of the Citizenship Clause and What the Clause Means Today" https://report.heritage.org/lm243 - A Heritage Foundation Legal Memorandum outlining the history of the citizenship clause.
Congressional Debates The Fourteenth Amendment (1866) https://www.encyclopedia.com/law/law-and-politics/political-science-and-government-magazines/congress-debates-fourteenth-amendment-1866 - Congressional debates on the 14th amendment.
Birthright Citizenship in the United States - American Immigration Council, https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/research/birthright-citizenship-united-states - An article on Birthright citizenship in the U.S.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWj6j31y6Xg - A video discussing the 14th Amendment.
Fair Use Statement
The use of video transcriptions in this article falls under fair use for the purpose of criticism, research, and analysis, which are allowed under 17 U.S. Code § 107. The video transcriptions are used in part, with the intent to explore and discuss the historical, legal, and political perspectives surrounding birthright citizenship. This use does not infringe on the rights of the original copyright holders and does not profit or impair the commercial potential of the original works.
Listing of Video and Article Content:
Video: “The 14th Amendment Explained - 14th Amendment, Slaughterhouse Cases, Plessy v Ferguson”, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWj6j31y6Xg.
“The Original Meaning of the Citizenship Clause and What the Clause Means Today” - https://report.heritage.org/lm243.
Congressional Debates The Fourteenth Amendment (1866) https://www.encyclopedia.com/law/law-and-politics/political-science-and-government-magazines/congress-debates-fourteenth-amendment-1866.
Birthright Citizenship in the United States - American Immigration Council, https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/research/birthright-citizenship-united-states.
Key Personnel Involved in President Trump's Immigration Efforts
President Donald J. Trump: A resolute leader committed to securing our borders and enforcing the rule of law, and to putting Americans First.
Tom Homan: A fierce and outspoken advocate for border security and lawful immigration, and a strong ally to those seeking the return of the rule of law.
Stephen Miller: A staunch defender of American sovereignty and a voice for more restrictive immigration policies.
House Homeland Security Committee: The House committee, led by champions like Chairman Mark Green and Vice Chairman Dan Bishop, will lead the charge in securing America’s border, and uphold and enforce the rule of law.
The Senate Homeland Security Committee: Led by stalwart advocates such as Senator Rand Paul, this committee will tirelessly work to uphold America’s sovereignty.
References to Key Legislation
SAVE Act: This law will secure our borders, ending the cycle of abuse and ensuring that only those who lawfully enter the U.S. are granted access to this nation.
Lincoln Riley Act: This law will punish those who would exploit our laws and victimize American citizens.
H.R.2: This is the bedrock legislation for securing our border by ending birthright citizenship and placing America First.
Project 2025 and Key Organizations
Project 2025, along with the America First Policy Institute, the Heritage Foundation, and the Center for Immigration Studies, represent a unified and strong coalition that seeks to put our nation on a path to stability and security through the use of strong laws, tough enforcement, and putting the American people first.
Author Profile
Persona Non Grata
About the Author
Zaji “Persona Non Grata” Zajradhara is a staunch advocate for American workers and indigenous rights in the CNMI. Labeled a “persona non grata” by the CNMI government for his relentless pursuit of justice and his outspoken criticism of corruption and foreign influence, Zajradhara has become a symbol of resistance against the forces seeking to undermine American sovereignty in the islands.
As An Unemployed Afro-American resident and father, Zajradhara's firsthand experience with the CNMI’s dysfunctional labor market, its rigged political system, and the exploitation of vulnerable communities has fueled his activism. He has filed numerous legal claims against companies for violating labor laws and discriminating against American workers.
His unwavering commitment to exposing the truth, challenging the status quo, and demanding accountability has made him a thorn in the side of the CNMI establishment and a target of their efforts to silence him. However, Zajradhara remains undeterred, determined to fight for the rights American workers and to protect the CNMI from the grip of foreign influence.
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