Gutierrez: Republicans 'attacking' unborn with citizenship concerns

Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.), chairman of the Democratic Caucus Immigration Task Force, accused Republicans who want to study the 14th Amendment's birthright citizenship of "attacking" unborn children.

Appearing on CNN Friday, Gutierrez said talk of holding hearings on the amendment was an effort to "demonize children in the wombs of their mothers."

"These are the people that are for the sanctity of life," Gutierrez said. "And, yet, they're going to attack an unborn child and say, if that child is born, we will get rid of it from this country immediately."

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) told The Hill on Monday that Congress “ought to take a look at” changing the 14th Amendment, which gives the children of illegal immigrants a right to U.S. citizenship.

McConnell’s statement signals growing support within the GOP for the controversial idea, which has also recently been touted by Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.) and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.).

"You want to end illegal immigration?" Gutierrez said. "Leave the mothers that haven't had their children alone. You're the ones that say to us that you're for the sanctity of marriage. You're the ones that say to us that you're pro-life. You're the ones that say, let's care for the unborn."

Gutierrez said that a consequence of such actions would be mothers not seeking medical attention for fear of being deported.

"What, are we going to put immigration agents in the maternity wards across this country?" he said.