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Do constitutional rights apply to American citizens only?

cwb01 said:
or do they apply to every human being in the whole world.
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Well, to answer that question, you only need to read the 10th Amendment:
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
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The Constitution applies to the federal government.
 
cwb01 said:
or do they apply to every human being in the whole world.
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from my understanding a court rulings constitutional protections apply to anyone on US soil
regardless of citizenship.

that is why there was such an outrage to move gitmo prisoners here.
once on US soil they would have full protection.
 
humbolt said:
No, they don't. Our constitution applies to our citizens. Don't tell Schumer though. I prefer his head remain up his ass.
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I don't want to see the poor guy cry again. Maybe he should change his state to Ohio and go join John Behner.
 
Moderate Right said:
I don't want to see the poor guy cry again. Maybe he should change his state to Ohio and go join John Behner.
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Ohhhhh. That's the unkindest cut of all - Boehner. Send 'em both to California to end the drought.
 
The Founders argued whether visitors or other non citizens would be protected by Constitutional Law, and for the most part all agreed that they are with a few exceptions of clauses or amendments that refer specifically to citizens. Also, they were in agreement that visitors or other non citizens were strictly subject to all U.S. laws including the conditions upon which non citizens can visit or be in the United States.
 
apdst said:
Every citizen, not every person. A non-citizen can't purchase, own, nor carry a gun.
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Depends on the state. In some states green card holders they can do all of that, including getting a CCW permit. In others they can't. There is no federal law against it.
 
BrewerBob said:
Depends on the state. In some states green card holders they can do all of that, including getting a CCW permit. In others they can't. There is no federal law against it.
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Green card holders yes, but not just any foreign national.
 
cwb01 said:
or do they apply to every human being in the whole world.
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Unless otherwise specified (like the right to vote), constitutional rights and protections apply to anyone on U.S. soil. In fact, that is the only place the apply to anyone citizen or not.
 
Mac77 said:
the question was does the Constitution apply to people all over the globe?

And the clear answer is that it doesn't
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It applies to the government. "shall make no law..."
 
DifferentDrummr said:
By that measure, there are quite a few countries where traveling American citizens (who entered legally) still have essentially zero rights.
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...yeah I'm pretty sure you're not remembering the rest of the sentence correctly.
 
MaggieD said:
U.S. Constitutional rights apply to everyone on our soil.
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This is correct. People often forget that the purpose of the bill of rights was to limit the power of government. The founders wanted the power of government limited period, not selectively.
 
MaggieD said:
U.S. Constitutional rights apply to everyone on our soil.
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To a Degree. A foreigner cannot come in into the Country and buy a gun.
 
cpgrad08 said:
To a Degree. A foreigner cannot come in into the Country and buy a gun.
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They can if they are lawfully in the United States
 
EMNofSeattle said:
They can if they are lawfully in the United States
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I suspect it depends what state has jurisdiction. There being restrictions on the Second Amendment is the cause of much debate and angst.
 
cwb01 said:
or do they apply to every human being in the whole world.
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No, the apply to human beings in the United States (legal ones) who are either visiting or living in the United States. In other countries other constitutional rights exist.
 
cwb01 said:
or do they apply to every human being in the whole world.
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Yes, RIGHTS are inalienable. The LAWS of the US also apply to anyone within the US borders.

Democrats push the former and ignore the latter.
 
fmw said:
This is correct. People often forget that the purpose of the bill of rights was to limit the power of government. The founders wanted the power of government limited period, not selectively.
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I'd imagine there are exceptions, such as soldiers attacking our country.
 
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