14th Amendment and the Citizenship Clause Law Essay (Essay Sample)

14th Amendment and the Citizenship Clause
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The Fourteenth Amendment comprises of essential concepts and policies that include state action, citizenship, due process, and equal protection. The Amendment has five sections, and Section 2 entails the appointment of representatives to Congress. Section Three makes it illegal for anyone to participate in rebellion against the nation from holding federal office while Section 4 deals with national debts.
The Citizenship Clause states that “All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the laws of the country are citizens of the United States and of the states, they live in” (James, 1956). The next clause in Section one stipulates that “No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States” (James, 1956). This gave American citizens more civil and legal rights by protecting them from states and the federal government. The next clause says “nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty or property, without due process of law,” (James, 1956) which ensured a person`s rights were respected. The equal protection clause was essential as it prohibited state governments from discriminating against African Americans.