Birthright Citizenship and the Rosenbergs
Ethel and Julius Rosenberg had two children, both born in New York City. When their children were less than ten, the Rosenbergs were convicted of and executed for espionage on behalf of the Soviet Union.Under the "allegiance" theory of birth citizenship, it seems clear that David and Robert Rosenberg (who are both still living) are not citizens of the United States. Their parents gave, in the clearest formal sense possible, their allegiance to a foreign power. And they did so in a way far worse than any illegal alien. Yet David and Robert Rosenberg are American citizens, and nobody to my knowledge has questioned that. Maybe that will change. If not, I'd like to know why the "allegiance" principle does not cover them.
Ethel and Julius Rosenberg had two children, both born in New York City. When their children were less than ten, the Rosenbergs were convicted of and executed for espionage on behalf of the Soviet Union.
Under the "allegiance" theory of birth citizenship, it seems clear that David and Robert Rosenberg (who are both still living) are not citizens of the United States. Their parents gave, in the clearest formal sense possible, their allegiance to a foreign power. And they did so in a way far worse than any illegal alien.
Yet David and Robert Rosenberg are American citizens, and nobody to my knowledge has questioned that. Maybe that will change. If not, I'd like to know why the "allegiance" principle does not cover them.
