Republican presidential candidate and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker declared on Sunday that he was not seeking to repeal or alter the 14th amendment, which addresses birthright citizenship, after he said two days ago that he would not take a stance.
Walker told CNBC on Friday that he would not take a position on revoking birthright citizenship “one way or another.”
Birthright citizenship, granted in the Constitution’s 14th amendment, allows babies born in the United States citizenship — regardless of their parents’ citizenship status.
ABC News “This Week” Host George Stephanopoulos asked Walker Sunday if he supported the first line of the 14th amendment, which reads, ““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.”
Walker initially avoided the question.
“Well, the law is there. We need to enforce the laws including those in the Constitution,” Walker said. “My point is having this debate about anything else when we don’t have politicians who are committed to actually securing the border and enforcing the laws, which means very simply in our country — e-verify. Make sure that every employer ensure that the people working for them are legal to work in this state — in this country. That will resolve the problems you’re talking about and that’s what I’ve been talking about this week.”
“So, you’re not seeking to repeal or alter the 14th amendment?” Stephanopoulos asked Walker.
“No,” Walker said. “My point is any discussion that goes beyond securing the border and enforcing the laws are things that should be a red flag to voters out there, who for years have heard lip service from politicians and are understandably angry because those politicians haven’t been committed to following through on those promises.”
Watch the full interview:
