Thurston County high school students will enter Superior Court later this month, not as jurors but as young orators, to debate one of the country’s most unsettled legal questions: Should birthright citizenship extend to all persons born in the United States or only to those whose parents are legally in the United States?
The Law Day Speech Contest returns this year with an eye on birthright citizenship. The event is organized by the Thurston County Bar Association in partnership with West Olympia Rotary Club.
To establish the context for the upcoming courtroom challenge, President Donald J. Trump issued on Jan. 20 Executive Order 14160, “Protecting the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship,” declaring that the 14th Amendment “has never been interpreted to extend citizenship universally to everyone born within the United States.”
The order would end birthright citizenship for children born to undocumented migrants.
In its language, the order directly condemns Dred Scott v. Sandford as a “shameful decision” and pointed to it as a warning about misdefining citizenship.
The executive order also states the “privilege of United States citizenship does not automatically extend to persons born in the United States,” and names the categories of people it excludes.
The administration’s claim is grounded in a selective wording from the 14th Amendment, “subject to the jurisdiction thereof” and asserts that it does not apply to children of undocumented migrants.
Various reports say the presidential directive has drawn a wave of lawsuits from several U.S. states. It is progressing through the lower courts and is likely headed for review by the nation’s highest bench, the U.S. Supreme Court.
As the matter is approaching judicial review in Washington, D.C., students in Thurston County will take on the same issue and publicly dissect that claim before the county court officials, law professionals and residents.
The first round is scheduled for Wednesday, April 23, in Courtroom 102 of the Thurston County Superior Court, located at the Thurston County Courthouse Campus, 2000 Lakeridge Drive SW, Olympia.
As noted by the bar association, the finalists “will advance to the final round” on Tuesday, April 29, at a Rotary Club lunch hosted in the Viewpoint Room, West Bay Drive NW, Olympia.
All high school students in Thurston County are eligible to enter the speech competition.
The contest prizes include $800 for the top speaker, $600 for second place and $400 for third place. Rotary plaques will be awarded as well.
Per the official event briefing, contestants are expected to “choose your position on Birthright Citizenship — prove your reasons and arguments supported by facts, law and specific data.”
The speeches must be five to seven minutes long, using legal reasoning and documented evidence. Fabricated data, emotional appeals and altered quotations are strictly prohibited.
To confirm participation, students must notify the Thurston County Bar Association by 5 p.m. on Monday, April 21.
Entries must be submitted via email to tcba.info@gmail.com and include the student’s name, grade, school and contact details.
For more information, contact Thurston County Bar Association at tcba.info@gmail.com.
4 comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here
Acadian04
It's not an unsettled legal question, but nonetheless okay for purposes of this event.
Tuesday, April 8 Report this
This issue is not settled by any mess. The 14th Amendment was necessary to prevent southern Democrats from denying citizenship rights to Black Americans. Irrespective of custom and practice there is precious little evidence supporting a broader interpretation. The debate will provide a wonderful opportunity for these students to learn and appreciate the U.S. Constitution.
Tuesday, April 8 Report this
Boatyarddog
Your citizenship can ONLY be intrepreted by The Country YOU were Born in! FACT!
THE Orange baboon is FULL OF GOO!
Wednesday, April 9 Report this
TheGreatAnon
Sad this forum has to happen at all
Fck Trump
Wednesday, April 9 Report this