Gonzales: Don't alter 14th Amendment

The former attorney under George W. Bush wrote Sunday he does not support calls within the GOP to consider amending birthright citizenship.

Alberto Gonzales, writing in an op-ed in the Washington Post, noted he was the descendant of Mexican immigrants before addressing recent calls to revisit the 14th Amendment and attempts "to discourage undocumented mothers from crossing our borders to give birth to children derogatorily referred to as 'anchor babies,' who by law are American citizens."

"I do not support such an amendment," Gonzales wrote. "Based on principles from my tenure as a judge, I think constitutional amendments should be reserved for extraordinary circumstances that we cannot address effectively through legislation or regulation.

"Because most undocumented workers come here to provide for themselves and their families, a constitutional amendment will not solve our immigration crisis. People will certainly continue to cross our borders to find a better life, irrespective of the possibilities of U.S. citizenship."

Gonzales stressed he did not condone illegal entry into the United States, but said he understood why parents took the risk to come to America "especially when there is little fear of prosecution."

"If we want to stop this practice, we should pass and enforce comprehensive immigration legislation rather than amend our Constitution," he said.

Gonzales said reform should include "a streamlined deportation process," harsher penalties on employers who hire illegal immigrants and a "robust" guest worker program.