Huckabee denies anchor-baby challenge

Says he would not press for amendment to deny birthright citizenship

Posted: January 8, 2008 6:15 p.m. Eastern
© 2008 WorldNetDaily.com

Gov. Mike Huckabee issued a statement today denying a report that he wants to amend the Constitution to prevent children born in the U.S. to illegal aliens from automatically becoming American citizens.

A Washington Times story cited his top immigration adviser, Minuteman Project founder Jim Gilchrist, saying Huckabee promised him he would force a test case to the Supreme Court to challenge birthright citizenship and would press Congress to pass an amendment.

But Huckabee denied it.

"I do not support an amendment to the Constitution that would prevent children born in the U.S. to illegal aliens from automatically becoming American citizens," the former Arkansas governor said. "I have no intention of supporting a constitutional amendment to deny birthright citizenship."

The Time said Gilchrist also received a promise from Huckabee that his first act as president would be to pardon imprisoned Border Patrol agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean, who are serving 11- and 12-year sentences for shooting a fleeing drug smuggler at the Mexican border.