- The Declaration of Independence represents a period where the United States was run by a unjust system and it was “the right of the people” to free themselves from Great Britain’s government. As an infringement against the people’s “unalienable rights” of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, the United States drafted the document to establish a new system, with the best interest of its people in mind. The document argues that the US was under a corrupted system and owed it to its citizens to fight for a better government.
- Last year, republican presidential candidate Donald Trump delivered a speech regarding his thoughts on “anchor babies”, or children born in America from noncitizen parents in order for the child to have legal citizenship. In the third minute of the video, Trump speaks his views on illegal Mexican immigrants and their abuse of “anchor babies” within the United States. Trump’s speech argues that the parent’s citizenship should determine whether or not a child born in the United States is allowed the rights a typical resident is given, such as social security, medicare and education. In the case of Mexican “anchor babies”, Trump does not believe birthright citizenship should be granted to the child.
- The Declaration of Independence and Donald Trumps speech share a common theme regarding an American’s basic human rights. In the Declaration of Independence, the US desired to separate itself from a tyrannical government and establish order in the country because it was owed to its people. In Donald Trumps speech, he seeks to strip the rights of an American even though their birth within the country grants legal citizenship. Trumps “anchor baby” views contradicts what the Declaration of Independence fought for their people to have.
Hancock, J. “Declaration of Independence” Avalon Project – Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776. Yale Law School, 2008. Web. 05 Sept. 2016.
Trump, D. “Donald Trump Mexicans Immigrants Speech – Wall Between US And Mexico.” YouTube. YouTube, 20 Sept. 2015. Web. 05 Sept. 2016. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cp_JzeOGX1U